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Back to School: Live Staged Reading with Original Cast Members on September 6, 2017 at LACC’s Camino Theatre

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We are pleased to direct your attention to Los Angeles City College, which will host a one night star-studded live reading of the comedy classic Back to School September 6 as part of the launch of their new Rodney Dangerfield Institute! There will also be a Q&A with the actors from the original film followed by a VIP meet-and-greet. More information is here.

It’s a good cause and one we are especially happy to support because Laemmle Theatres éminence grise Bob Laemmle attended LACC for a year, an experience that was formative in getting him re-focussed after his first attempt at college was not fruitful.  So we want to promote the important role played by community colleges in general, and LACC in particular.  Also because we love Back to School. “Why don’t you call me sometime when you have no class.”

SEASONS, the Stunning New Nature Documentary, featuring Q&A’s with Andy Lipkis of TreePeople.

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We are pleased to present a special series of screenings of the critically acclaimed new film SEASONS followed by in-person Q&A’s with Andy Lipkis, founder and president of TreePeople: December 6 – Monica Film Center, Santa Monica. Daniel Hinerfeld of the National Resources Defense Council will moderate; December 7 – NoHo 7, North Hollywood. Elissa Barrett of TreePeople will moderate; and December 8 – Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, Pasadena) after the 7:30 pm showings. A portion of the ticket sale proceeds will benefit TreePeople.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPC2kZQ9kwU

SEASONS from Jacques Perrin, the director of Winged Migration and Oceans, is a poetic chronicle of animals and their habitats over the past 15,000 years, and a natural symphony on the mysteries of the forests. Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times calls SEASONS “another testament to the breathtaking wonders of the natural world.”

Andy Lipkis is a practical visionary who has dedicated his life to healing the environment while improving the lives of individuals and communities. TreePeople has engaged over two million people in planting and caring for trees to revitalize the pollution and drought-damaged forests and watersheds of Southern California. “The timing couldn’t be better to see this film,” says Lipkis. “SEASONS is a delicious and intimate immersion with the animals, birds, and trees of the forest ecosystem that will open your heart and heal your spirit. With tens of millions of trees dying in California’s mountain and city forests, SEASONS informs us without words or politics, about the extraordinary life support system we’re losing, that we can and must come together to save.”

L.A. River is Open and Ready for Paddling!

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“The L.A. River is on the mend and safe to paddle,” declares L.A. River Kayak Safari, the outfit that offers guided kayak tours throughout the summer.

LA_River_Paddle_01

Kayak season has indeed officially begun and you can now book your adventure through the end of September. Your L.A. River excursion will take you through the beautifully restored and surprisingly bucolic Elysian Valley stretch that runs just south of Griffith Park. Having taken advantage of this opportunity last year, this an experience we highly recommend!

Returning the L.A. River to a more pristine state and making it more hospitable for both people and wildlife has been of paramount concern of the Laemmle Foundation.

“Upgrading our natural waterways is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can improve the quality of life in our city,” says Foundation Board President Greg Laemmle. The Foundation backs up his words through its ongoing support of FOLAR (Friends of the L.A. River), a grassroots non-profit dedicated to river improvement.

LA_River_Paddle_03To celebrate last year’s grant to FOLAR, Greg and his wife Tish hosted a group kayaking tour led by L.A. River Kayak Safari.  Happily, Greg captured his experience on a GoPro camera.  The video has since been edited into a three-minute short — CLICK HERE or scroll down to the bottom of this post to check it out!

The L.A. River has a checkered history, but the future looks promising.  As the folks at Kayak Safari explains, “In the later 1930′s after a series of devastating floods, Federal Authorities began to create a concrete straightjacket for the river. With channelization, natural habitats suffered. By the 1960′s Freeway expansions, industrial pollution and street run-off further degraded the river. Yet, in the Elysian Valley stretch, a high water table and the dynamics of the river’s bends around the local hills left a soft-bottom (instead of concrete,) creating an environment for aquatic plants, fish, birds, and humans.”

LA_River_Paddle_04What’s more, large scale restoration projects envisioned by L.A. city officials could channel billions in funds (some from the federal government) over the next couple of decades into the river project.  In it’s wake, we could be left with a truly unique river area that both reflects our aspirations as a modern city and yet stays true to our region’s pre-industrial heritage.  On the cusp of real change, now is an exciting time get to know the L.A. River and be part of its transformation.

In addition to the aforementioned kayaking, FOLAR hosts a wide variety of river-related activities.  And their offerings really ramp up for the summer.  Consult  their River Blog and Community Calendar for upcoming events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIFKEJof88w

Climate Ride 2015 Is This Weekend! Support the Environment and Our Riders at the Concessions Stand!

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Greg Laemmle, Team LACBC and our contest winners embark on Climate Ride 2015 this Sunday, May 17th!

Follow Greg on Twitter (@greglaemmle) for the latest ride updates as he makes his way from California’s historic Redwood Empire near Eureka, along the scenic coast, and into the famed Russian River Valley before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco.

We’re halfway to our fundraising goal and your help could put us over the top. Just purchase one (or more) of our tasty Climate Ride Concession Specials the next time you see a movie at any of our locations.

When you purchase a –
• CLIF BAR, we give $1 to Climate Ride California
• O.N.E. Coconut Water, we give $2.
• Climate Ride Combo, we give $3.

Climate Ride California raises money for projects and organizations that work on climate change, clean energy, active transportation, sustainable infrastructure, and public health. It seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the inter-connectedness of environmental issues caused by the climate crisis among participants, donors, sponsors, and the general public. For more information, visit: http://www.climateride.org/

During the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, New Drama ‘1915’ Opens at the Music Hall, Playhouse and Town Center

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This year marks a solemn occasion, the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. There are, of course, many events around town dedicated to remembrance as well as action. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is planning an ecumenical service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on April 14. United Armenian Council of Los Angeles is planning a march on April 24 and a commemoration of the 25th. A complete list is here.

This Friday we will open the drama-thriller 1915 at the Music Hall, Playhouse and Town Center. The film follows a man on a mission to bring the ghost of this forgotten tragedy back to life. More than a cutting-edge mystery, 1915 is also an explosive call to action against the silence and denial that have fueled a century of genocide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyo-G3dhMRM

Finally, there is still time to join and/or donate to this Sunday’s Walk to End Genocide at Pan Pacific Park, an extremely good cause supported by the Laemmle Charitable Foundation. Greg and Tish Laemmle will be there.

 

Brews ‘n’ Bikes: Drink a Beer and Donate to Your Favorite Climate Rider this Sunday at Angel City Brewery in Downtown L.A.!

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Have you seen the Climate Ride promo we are currently running in our theaters?  Want to support, but don’t care for KIND Bars or coconut water?  Well, if you like beer and/or really cool buildings instead, here’s your chance. 
The team LACBC (L.A. County Bicycle Coalition) Climate Ride party will be at Angel City Brewery on this Sunday, April 12 between 5:00 and 8:00.  No prior donation is required.  Come enjoy a beer and a variety of good food truck cuisine. Meet members of the team.  Make a donation to any team member in advance and you could earn incentives like raffle tickets and drink vouchers.  Or just buy a raffle ticket at the event.  Cool prizes.

In case you need even more incentive, L.A. history buffs will note that Angel City Brewery is housed in the former manufacturing site for the John A. Roebling Company.  Mr. Roebling was the man who made the cables for the Brooklyn Bridge.  Also the Slinky. It’s a cool place and a survivor of our city’s unfortunate tendency to demolish its own history.

Sign Up to Clean Up! Friends of the L.A. River’s 26th Annual Great Los Angeles River CleanUp.

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The L.A. River is in the midst of a long-term transformation for the better and the non-profit Friends of the Los Angeles River is one big reason why. We at Laemmle Theatres are ardent supporters of FOLAR and its mission, through Laemmle Charitable Foundation donations and hands-on help. The next three weekends will provide ample opportunities for the latter via the 26th Annual La Gran Limpieza: The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp.  Learn more and sign up here to join other caring, forward-thinking members of your community at one of several sites along the river’s meandering path through our megalopolis, including Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, Compton Creek and more.

http://vimeo.com/95055477

Blight Made Right: The Trust for Public Land, a Great Charity, Opens a New Public Park in Watts this Weekend. Join Greg Laemmle for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

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A great charity, the Trust for Public Land, along with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, is holding a ribbon cutting in Watts this Saturday for a beautiful new pocket park. Laemmle Theatres President Greg Laemmle and L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino will be there too and the public is invited to join them in celebrating the official opening of this new green space for the people of Watts at 11300 Monitor Avenue. The event is from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, rain or shine. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided.

“For decades, 1.13 acres of land on Monitor Avenue in Watts lay vacant, overgrown with weeds and strewn with garbage and broken glass. When plans for a housing development fell through, the prospect of giving local children and their parents a safe, welcoming place to meet and play motivated neighbors to step forward and support the creation of a community park. Local residents actively participated in the park planning process. At a series of community workshops, they suggested special features and helped to refine and shape their initial input into a coherent concept for the entire park. Following their wishes, the finished design includes a large children’s playground, walking path, a Fitness Zone® outdoor gym for adults and teens, skate-friendly features, and a down-to-earth grassy lawn with picnic tables.

“The project is a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks and is due to be completed in winter of 2015.”

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people all over the United States, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Please join the Laemmle Charitable Foundation in supporting this worthy cause. Every one dollar donated to the TPL conserves more than four dollars worth of land.

P.S., the Watts Towers, one of L.A’s treasures, is less than a mile away from the park, so if you haven’t seen them in a while consider a visit after the festivities at the park.

Monitor Avenue Park design schematic