South of Red Rock Texas

Austin may be the best city in Texas but I've never been anywhere in Texas but Austin.  So, I'm not sure exactly. And while the scene was more reminiscent of Sunset Junction than the OK Coral they have not completely done away with the ten gallon hats and dualies. Most of the music I saw were from musicians I'd not heard of before. That said, nearly, everything I saw was amazing. First off was an extremely fun set by Ghost White Shivers at The Beauty Bar of all places, playing what I would call dixieland jazz. The band was followed up by a more than competent 80's DJ. Next up was the hard working Redd Volkaert at the world famous Continental Club.

Then it was on to Ginny's for Dale Watson and chickenshit bingo. I'm not sure about the bingo but Dale is always a blast. Last but not least I paid a visit to the non-duchebag end of 6th Street's Momo's and saw the impressive Dan Dyer and the enlightened Robin Smith.

Best Food, Better Cause

26th ANNIVERSARY AMERICAN WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

SERVES UP WORLD-CLASS CELEBRATION FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Wolfgang Puck, Barbara Lazaroff and friends unite for a weekend of food, fine wine and festivities benefiting Meals On Wheels

LOS ANGELES, CA, September 15, 2008 - It's the epicurean event of the year. The one place that puts world-class chefs at your service for a weekend of delectable dishes, superb libations, fantasy auction items and amazing entertainment. The 26th Anniversary American Wine & Food Festival (AWFF) returns to Los Angeles for a star-studded gathering benefiting the Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels.

Kicking off Friday, September 26, the weekend of festivities features three spectacular events, an estimated 40 celebrated chefs, and fine wine and spirit purveyors. For the second year, AWFF will start the weekend with the sizzling Red Hot @ Red Seven party at the Pacific Design Center. Saturday, internationally renowned chefs serve palate-pleasing plates at the signature AWFF event on the Universal Studios' back lot. The Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner wraps up the weekend with an exclusive dinner event at Spago Beverly Hills Sunday evening.

Tickets for all three events went on sale July 1. Last year's events sold out, so be sure to mark your calendar! Please visit www.AWFF.org for tickets, sponsorship opportunities and Festival details.

Since its inception in 1982, the Puck-Lazaroff Foundation has raised more than $14 million for the Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels. The American Wine & Food Festival benefits four Los Angeles-area chapters including St. Vincent Meals On Wheels, Meals On Wheels of West Los Angeles, Meals On Wheels West and San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council.


Red Hot @ Red Seven
Date: Friday, September 26, from 7 to 11 p.m.
Location: Red Seven by Wolfgang Puck
A new event added to the line-up last year, Red Hot @ Red Seven kicks off the AWFF festivities. Set at Wolfgang Puck's chic West Hollywood restaurant Red Seven, this searing hot celebration features a night of spectacular beef, smooth wine & spirits and musical entertainment. With the ambiance of the Pacific Design Center's famous fountains blazing red, this truly is a night to remember.
Taste delicious morsels of mouth-watering beef served by Red Seven, CUT and Sidebar Beverly Hills, CUT Las Vegas, Lawry's The Prime Rib, La Brea Bakery, Montage Beverly Hills, Craft Los Angeles, 8 oz., and more.

Red Hot @ Red Seven tickets are available through the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation for $150 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AWFF.org.

Cave Cooks Curfew Cursed Concert

Last nights Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds show at the Hollywood Bowl brings the summer concert series to and end, almost. Having scored another seamless entry into the venue with our scalped $10 tickets we headed right on over to the nearest empty box seat and plunked down for the evening. And last night was a very nice evening with a mostly full moon and just a wee bit of a chill in the air. The perfect setting for the first live appearance of the band in five years. The friend I went with was not too familiar with the lineup and claimed to be no that into it, said she didn't really get it but appreciated the "weirdness" of the show. I can understand some of the concerns she had because Cave's vocal stylings are...well...unique. For me the deep grooves and layers of rhythm were as rich as Cave's lyrics wicked. Some may have called it solemn, brooding or macabre but I found it ehtereal, poetic and just plain rocking. Highlights of the night included Warren Ellis' eccentric on stage antics and the guy sitting right next to me that took two his of pot as soon as Cave hit the stage and immediately crumpled over and stayed slumpped over for the entire of the show. Almost as classic was his very PO'd girlfriend who kept up her grimmace as much as his slouching. It was a shame he only played a little more than an hour due to the Bowl's strict 10:45 cerfew.

One More Show Left

Jamaican me CRAZY

Go to Coley's. I did yesterday for lunch in the Valley and was totally loving it. $6.95 lunch special of Jerk Chicken, rice, beans, plantains and fried dough (don't forget the Ginger Beer). It was killer. Full bar with live music & DJ's on the weekends too!

10842 Magnolia Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Telephone: (818) 761-4944
Fax: (818) 761-4565

&

300 E. Florence Ave.
Inglewood, CA 90301
Telephone: (310) 672-7474
Fax: (310) 672-7400

Long time a comin

The seasonal installment is all about the wresting; Daniel Puder and Lucha Vavoom. I was on the team in 9th grade but it was nothing like this. I guess they call it sports entertainment but that lame categorization doesn't come close to describing the actual visceral experience of it all. It is downright dangerous excitement.

Undefeated MMA'er Daniel Puder known for his unbeatable success inside and outside the ring is throwing the Cop's-n-Robbers party to benefit Cops Care Cancer Foundation at the Playboy Mansion August 23, 2008. Tickets to the event include:

• Unlimited alcohol
• Open Buffet featuring gourmet treats
• Full tour of Mansion grounds by Playmates
• Dinner and full open bar all night
• Full access to pool and historic grotto (towels not provided - swimsuits optional)
• Silent auction
• Comedy Entertainers
• Fashion Show
• Entry to the pre-party and after party
• Pre-party August 22 (9:00pm-1:00am)
• Your photo taken with Playmates or Knockouts (printed out and signed)
• Transportation to and from the Playboy Mansion
• Access to VIP Lounge at the Playboy Mansion
• Special gift bag

If you've ever wanted to go to the Playboy Mansion and really party, this is your chance. The pre party will be at Boulevard3 and will include wrestling from the knock outs from the Wet T-Shirt Wrestling Leauge. Now how can you not support wet T-shirt wrestling for kids with cancer? You can't, so get your tickets now (it's almost sold out).

Lucha Vavooooooom is an incredible series of bouts that comes around 3 times a year in July, October and February to LA and SF. Lot's of wild masks and flamboyant acts culminated in a tag team trio of 3 member teams representing Mexico, USA and Weho. I'm still not sure if the cross gendered wrestler that flew out of the ring really smashed her/his head on the floor or if it was part of the act. Either way the stoppage of the show and the entire crowd holding it's breath had me convinced he/she narrowly escaped death. Tom was there plus the Mayan Theater was worth the trip alone. Excellent night.