The Official Blog of Laemmle Theatres.

blog.laemmle.com

The official blog of Laemmle Theatres

Hung Viet Nguyen: Sacred Landscapes

by

nguyen_mindscape30_oil_24x30

Art in the Arthouse welcomes SACRED LANDSCAPES, an exhibit by artist HUNG VIET NGUYEN, on display at the Monica Film Center from Dec 2016 – Feb 2017.

Curated by Tish Laemmle, Sacred Landscapes showcases a large selection of Nguyen’s majestic paintings, primarily landscapes and captivating abstract works. The work transports you into the mind of the artist who has an enigmatic connection to nature. Painting from memory, Nguyen renders an impressive amount detail in stunning and unexpected compositions that seem to suspend reality. Viewing his work has a spiritual quality that can only be experienced in person.

Hung Viet Nguyen was born in Vietnam in 1957 and studied biology at the Science University in Saigon. After relocating to the U.S. in 1982, Nguyen transitioned careers, finding work as an illustrator, graphic artist and designer.

He developed his artistic skills in an independent fashion, carefully studying a variety of traditional nguyen_cruelly-go-round15_mix_12x16Eastern and Western forms, media and techniques. Nguyen’s complex, labor intensive investigations of oil paint reveal a
mastery of texture. While portions of Nguyen’s work suggest the influence of traditional art forms such as woodblock prints, Oriental scroll paintings, ceramic art, mosaic, and stained glass, his ultimate expression as an artist asserts a more contemporary sensibility.

Having been deeply affected by Nguyen’s work – “it speaks to the soul” – Art in the Arthouse curator Tish Laemmle was inspired to bring Sacred Landscapes to life at the Monica Film Center for the enrichment of the movie-going public.

Nguyen’s paintings have been exhibited at galleries, cultural art centers, and museums, juried by museums including LACMA and the MOCA. Honors include the Juror’s Choice Awards, 2013, and the San Diego Art Institute Biennial International Award Exhibition, 2015.

nguyen_ancient-pine3_oil_24x30

Critic’s Reviews of Nguyen:

KCET.ORG

Easyreadernews.com

Diversionla.com

aahlogonobackgroud

Miracle of Miracles … Fiddler Sing-a-Long + First Night of Chanukah Celebration!

by

*** FIDDLER UPDATES (skip to main article)
We’re pleased to announce an dynamic and eclectic line-up of Fiddler Hosts for 2016!

Ahrya Fine Arts
Cantor Phil Baron – of Valley Beth Shalom – BUY TIX
BONUS! – BARBARA ISENBERG will be on hand to sign copies of her book TRADITION!: The Highly Improbable, Ultimately Triumphant Broadway-to-Hollywood Story of Fiddler on the Roof, the World’s Most Beloved Musical.

Claremont 5
Cantor Paul Buch – of Temple Beth Israel – BUY TIX

NoHo 7
Susan Edwards Martin – Broadway star, entertainer – BUY TIX

Playhouse
Jason Moss – of Jewish Federation of the San Gabriel and Pamona Valleys – BUY TIX

Royal
Eli Batalion – actor, star of Yidlife Crisis – BUY TIX

Town Center 5
Gustavo Bulgach – musician, bandleader of Klezmer Juice – BUY TIX

Jump below to find out more about our hosts.

—————————————————–

Wonder_of_Wonders_edit_2Will the matchmaker make you “the perfect match?” There’s only one way to find out … join us this year for our 9th Annual Fiddler on the Roof Christmas Eve Sing-a-Long … plus FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH CELEBRATION!

(Scroll down to watch the event trailer. For tickets, visit Laemmle.com/Fiddler).

The rare concurrence of Christmas Eve and the first night of Chanukah adds a new wrinkle to our tradition this year, enabling the community to come together in celebration of the Jewish holiday. “This year we can sing from the rooftops … and light the Chanukah Menorah!” comments Greg Laemmle.

To accommodate demand, the popular Fiddler program has been extended to six venues including the newly re-opened AHRYA FINE ARTS art deco movie palace in Beverly Hills.

In addition to exuberant movie and song, the evening will feature TRIVIA with PRIZES being awarded to Fiddler buffs with the quickest recall. Dressing in COSTUME is not required, but highly encouraged! Who knows, perhaps the best costume will garner a prize? That will be up to the emcee.

phil-baron_02_crop2_lr
PHIL BARON at the Ahyra Fine Arts
susan_martin_crop_pr
SUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN at NoHo 7

We’re excited announce several new hosts this year. These include Broadway performer Susan Edwards Martin, Klezmer musician Gustavo Bulgach, comedian and star of YidLife Crisis, Eli Batalion, and community leader Jason Moss. Returning are Cantor Paul Buch of Temple Beth Israel and Cantor Phil Baron of Valley Beth Shalom, the latter to be master of ceremonies at the Ahrya Fine Arts.

Jump down to get more info on each of our hosts.

Our own Greg Laemmle is enthusiastic as ever about the Fiddler experience, in part due to it having one of the best movie scores of all time, declaring that “Christmas Eve isn’t just Chinese food anymore!” Furthermore, “We welcome all those in the community who are looking for an alternative Christmas eve experience … and this year, a different first night of Chanukah to boot!”

He continues, “This is your once-a-year chance to be the star of the shtetl. Join voices with friends and neighbors and sing your heart out alongside Fiddler’s screen legends,”?he continues. “And it’s okay if you haven’t memorized all the songs. We provide the lyrics.”

Song highlights include the iconic “TRADITION”, “IF?I?WERE?A?RICH?MAN”, “TO?LIFE”, “SUNRISE SUNSET”, “DO?YOU LOVE ME?”?and “ANATEVKA”, among many, many more.

Don’t miss the buggy! Those who wish to attend the program are advised to purchase tickets in advance as the program has traditionally sold to capacity.

See you in the shtetl…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnuyNaOEBt4&feature=youtu.be

Fiddler Hosts – 2016

phil-baron_02_crop2_lrCantor PHIL BARON at the Ahrya Fine Arts (Beverly Hills)
Cantor PHIL BARON of Temple Valley Beth Shalom in Encino comes to us courtesy of community partner JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY (JHS) and the BREED STREET SHUL. Baron is the son of a violinist and the grandson of a Vilna rabbi. Before becoming a cantor, he took a successful detour into children’s entertainment, where he had over 300 original songs recorded – nearly 200 of these by the Walt Disney Co. He co-created two television series for Jewish children, Bubbe’s Boarding House, and the multiple award-winning series Alef…Bet…Blast-off! As a vocalist he has been featured with the Los Angeles Jewish Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra and the New Orleans Philharmonic.

susan_martin_crop_prSUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN at the NoHo 7 (N. Hollywood)
Broadway star SUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN will represent partner Temple Beth Hillel at our NoHo 7 venue. A star of Broadway, Martin is an accomplished singer, musician, actress and comedienne who originated the role of ‘Lady Blue’ in HARVEY FIERSTEIN’s Tony Award-winning play “Torch Song Trilogy.” She has also appeared in many other Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as “Bubbling Brown Sugar,” “The Suicide,” and the long-running musical comedy “Scrambled Feet.” Numerous television credits include a recurring role on “Days of our Lives,” and guest appearances on “NYPD Blue,” “Designing Women,” and “Columbo,” among many others. Martin is currently creating a new original musical, “Unlimited” based on her personal story of growing up in Long Island and her ensuing life in show business.

jason-photo_02_edit_cropJASON MOSS at the Playhouse 7 (Pasadena)
Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys JASON MOSS will be our host at the Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. Under his leadership, the Federation has doubled its programming with the creation of such programs as the Cultural Arts Program, PJ Library, a nationally recognized program to reach and connect with unaffiliated Jewish families. In addition, Moss will soon launch JLife SGPV, a lifestyle magazine celebrating Jewish life in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.

eli_pix_01_crop_prELI BATALION at the Royal Theatre (West L.A.)
Star of comedy web series Yidlife Crisis, ELI BATALION will be our host at the Royal Theatre in West Los Angeles. Created with co-star JAMIE ELMAN, Yidlife Crisis is a love letter about modern Jewish identity set in Yiddish (with English and French subtitles), that uses comedy as a vehicle for inclusiveness. Batalion is a multi-faceted talent, at once writer, producer, actor, and composer for film TV and stage. His many projects have ranged from award-winning horror musical films (including the recently release “Stage Fright” starring Minne Driver and Meat Loaf) to touring musical comedy productions and live comedy shows such as the cult hit “J.O.B The Hip-Hopera.”

gustavositting_crop_prGUSTAVO BULGACH at the Town Center (Encino)
Accomplished Klezmer musician and bandleader GUSTAVO BULGACH will be our host at the Town Center 5 in Encino. Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Bulgach was inspired at an early age by the religious and secular life of the Argentine community. Now based in L.A., Bulgach travels the globe uplifting audiences with a vibrant, soulful Klezmer he terms the “soundtrack of the Diaspora.” Bulgach has been a longtime member of the House of Blues Foundation house band backing artist such as LITTLE RICHARD, TAJ MAHAL, and THE WAILERS. His own outfit, KLEZMER JUICE, was featured in the Hollywood mega hit movie THE WEDDING CRASHERS featuring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn.

Paul Buch_prCantor PAUL BUCH at the Claremont 5 (Claremont)
Cantor PAUL BUCH has served Temple Beth Israel in Claremont since 2003. He came to the cantorate after a 25 year career in TV and film production in Los Angeles, New York, and Portland. In addition to his cantorial duties, Buch is President of the Claremont Interfaith Council and serves on the Faith-Based Roundtable of the Pomona Unified School District. He is also Chair of the City of Claremont’s Human Relations Committee and serves on an advisory committee at the Claremont School of Theology. This will be his third consecutive year as our Fiddler host in Claremont!

SLASH Cast & Crew Q&A Opening Night at the NoHo.

by

SLASH actors Michael Johnston, Hannah Marks, and Angela Kinsey, writer-director Clay Liford and producer Brock Williams will participate in a Q&A after the 7 PM screening at the NoHo 7 on Friday, December 17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzD6SKGU1hs

HOOLIGAN SPARROW Filmmaker in Person at the Monica Film Center.

by

HOOLIGAN SPARROW filmmaker Nanfu Wang will participate in a Q&A at the Monica Film Center after the 11 AM screening on Saturday, December 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-5jcIxVSr8

BAD KIDS Q&A with the Filmmakers at the NoHo.

by

BAD KIDS directors Keith Fulton & Lou Pepe will participate in a Q&A after the 7:10 PM screening at the NoHo on Friday, December 16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LD1PDzA6D0

LAEMMLE LIVE New Performing Arts Series at the Monica Film Center Launching January 22, 2017

by

The Laemmle Foundation presents LAEMMLE LIVE, a new performing arts series at the Monica Film Center. Emerging artists and professional performers from local schools and organizations will celebrate our diverse community with live performance.

In our inaugural year, LAEMMLE LIVE’s free monthly Sunday morning performances will turn the Monica Film Center’s mezzanine lounge into a salon style venue and serve as a potential pilot for live performance programs at other Laemmle locations throughout Los Angeles — delivering an alternative community arts experience — inviting our Los Angeles neighbors into our Laemmle living room.

laemmlelivemusicians_paintfinal_100dpi-2-crop
Illustration by Nancy Nimoy

LAEMMLE LIVE’S first concert will feature musicians from Santa Monica High School’s Chamber Orchestra on January 22, 2017.

Future program partners include Lincoln Middle School, SO-LA Music Academy, Street Symphony, McCabe’s Guitar Shop and Elemental Music.

LAEMMLE LIVE will be a place for cultural intersection and engagement with social issues that matter to the community. Mindful that Santa Monica can be a place where privilege lives next door to a growing homeless population — LAEMMLE LIVE invites high school performers to inspire underserved neighbors and welcomes Street Symphony musicians who state “…we bring music to lift up the brave stories and voices of people who, although living in an impoverished situation, are in no way impoverished in spirit.”

“Live performance is a natural sequel to ART IN THE ARTHOUSE, a program that delivers a unique art-viewing experience by reclaiming wall space throughout our theaters for the display of fine art.” says Greg Laemmle, Laemmle Theatres President.

Winter-Spring
2017 Calendar

Sun Jan 22, 2017 11 AM — Samohi Chamber Orchestra
Joni Swenson, Jason Aiello, Directors

Sun Feb 5, 2017 11 AM — Sol-La Music Academy Chamber EnsembleMargaret Lysy, Founder and Artistic Director

Sun Mar 5, 2017 11 AM — Lincoln Middle School Madrigal Singers
Vanessa Counte, Director

Sun Apr 30, 2017 11 AM — Street Symphony
Vijay Gupta, Founder and Artistic Director

STEVIE D Q&A Schedule Opening Weekend at the Music Hall.

by

STEVIE D opens this Friday at the Music Hall. Here’s the Q&A schedule:

Friday, after 7pm showing: Director/Writer/Actor Chris Cordone, Actor Spencer Garrett, Actor John Aprea;
Saturday, after 7pm showing: Director/Writer/Actor Chris Cordone, Actor Phil Idrissi, Actor John Aprea;
Sunday, after 7pm showing, Director/Writer/Actor Chris Cordone, Actor Hal Linden.

https://vimeo.com/126613638

Q&A with Peter Bogdanovich Following Our 45th Anniversary Screening of THE LAST PICTURE SHOW Tuesday, 12/13 at the Ahrya Fine Arts

by

ac-last-picAdapted from Larry McMurtry’s acclaimed novel, The Last Picture Show was nominated for eight Academy Awards in 1971, including Best Picture and Best Director Peter Bogdanovich. The film earned two Oscars—Best Supporting Actor Ben Johnson and Best Supporting Actress Cloris Leachman.

This loving and acute portrait of a dying Texas town in the early 1950s is notable for its beautifully rendered atmosphere and for the warmth and compassion of its characterizations.

Bogdanovich, a film critic and historian, had directed one earlier movie—a low-budget indie called Targets. His second feature catapulted him to the front ranks of American directors of the 1970s. Newsweek’s Paul Zimmerman went so far as to call the film “the most impressive work by a young American director since Citizen Kane.”

Four decades later, in 2011, Stephen Holden of The New York Times called The Last Picture Show “an American classic—a perfect film, if you will, whose cosmic sadness makes it feel timeless.”

In addition to Johnson and Leachman, the cast includes Timothy Bottoms, Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges, Ellen Burstyn, and Clu Gulager.

ac-lps

At a time when color had become the norm in Hollywood, Bogdanovich chose to shoot the film in black-and-white and collaborated with master cinematographer Robert Surtees. The Hank Williams songs on the soundtrack also help to intensify the film’s mournful atmosphere.

The screening will be followed by a conversation with Peter Bogdanovich, whose other films include What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon, Daisy Miller, Saint Jack, They All Laughed, Mask, and The Cat’s Meow.

Bogdanovich has also acted in many films and TV shows (including the landmark series, The Sopranos) and is the author of several important books on film.

Click here to buy tickets.