Theme Thursday Doors

These photos were taken in Hollywood, CA back in July 2013.

This particular photo is one of the doors to the TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.  Formerly known as Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Door to the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

I am participating in THEME THURSDAY.

Meet The Theo Saunders Quartet

Photo courtesy of sonyholland.blogspot.com

Vocalist Sony Holland will be in concert with the Theo Saunders Quartet on January 29th and February 5th. I had the pleasure of seeing Sony perform with the Theo Saunders quartet in October. They are stellar musicians and celebrities in their own right backing some of the best singers performing today. Click here for the link to my review of the Theo Saunders Quartet on Jo's Music Cafe blog.

Visit the Sony Holland blog.


Theo Saunders photo courtesy of sonyholland.blogspot.com

For more information on the Theo Saunders Quartet including some background on each player click Meet Theo Saunders and his Quartet

Video Below - Sony Holland & the Theo Saunders Quartet in concert at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.


Concert Venue and Information


Fri. Jan. 29, 2010
SONY HOLLAND / THEO SAUNDERS QUARTET (Theo Saunders, piano: Larry Koonse, guitar:
John B. Williams, bass: Tony Austin, drums)
2 Shows: 7:30 & 9:30pm
- No Cover Charge! -
@ the Culver's Club For Jazz:
Culver City Radisson Hotel
6161 W Centinella Avenue, Culver City, CA
Call 310 649 1776 ext.4137 Reservations Advised!

Friday, Feb. 5th
SONY HOLLAND / THEO SAUNDERS QUARTET
Steamers Jazz in Fullerton
(Theo Saunders, piano: Steve Cotter, guitar:
John B. Williams, bass: Tony Austin, drums)

If you are in the LA area, come on out, we'll see you there. If you are not in the LA area, both concerts are on a Friday evening so fly out and join us. Virgin America has a deal on fares right now. Another idea - Road trip :)

Enjoy

Los Angeles Public Transportation

The Flyaway Bus

While I'm not the sort of person who normally enjoys proving people wrong, I am going to do just that here. When planning my trip to Los Angeles I was told by EVERYONE that I needed a car. I have to admit I panicked a bit because I don't drive and would not have a car and needed to be able to get to the places I wanted to see by public transportation. So, I Googled, I checked out Virtual Tourist etc... What did I find? Los Angeles has the third largest public transportation system in the country. Not only would I be able to get around the downtown LA and Hollywood areas, I would also be able to get to Van Nuys, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and even San Diego (with transfers) etc... I think because their transportation system is so new and developing and expanding at such a rapid rate, that people just don't know about it.

There are Super Shuttles and of course taxi and Limo services to get you from LAX to Union Station which is the main transportation hub in downtown LA. Super shuttle can cost from about $17.00 on up and taxis charge a flat rate of $43.00 from the airport to Union Station. Limos are totally out of my reach so I didn't even inquire. Of course if you are staying at a 5 star hotel there is free shuttle service - again, out of my reach.

However for people like me who travel on a budget there is the Flyaway bus service which is pictured above. These buses run about every 10 minutes from LAX to Union Station and back. I think that there is also another one that services the Beverly and Wilshire areas though I can't be sure. You can catch the Flyaway right outside the LAX Ground transportation area. It costs $7.00 of which you pay when arriving at Union Station. These buses are really nice. They are much like Greyhound and very clean and comfortable. They also accommodate your luggage whether inside the overhead bins or below. Surprisingly it only took 40 minutes to get from the airport to downtown LA. It also provides the scenic route with all the palm trees surrounding the freeway and the gorgeous skyscrapers when entering the downtown Los Angeles area. Once at Union Station I payed for my ticket then hopped on the Metro Red Line train for a 15 minute ride to Hollywood. It was a breeze.

I met a woman at Union Station who lives in LA, hates to fly and had to get to San Diego in order to catch her cruise ship to Mexico. She could have flown in a matter of minutes but because of her fear of flying she took a bus to Union Station was going to hop on Amtrak to San Diego and from there to her cruise ship. All in all she told me the entire trip would take about 2 hours at the most. That's not bad for public transportation. I was thrilled to see all the various places I could travel using their system and can't wait to get back down there to visit and experience more and more of Los Angeles. So, if anyone ever asks you how to get around LA - YOU DO NOT NEED A CAR!


The Metro Red Line Train

The Metro Red Line was my mode of transportation while in LA. It is the same as BART which services the Bay Area with a couple of exceptions. First, these Metro lines operate on an honor system. In other words, there is no one there to accept your fare and you could basically just walk right in down to the train platform without paying. However if security decides to ask for proof of payment and you cannot show proof, you are slapped with a $250.00 fine.

When entering the station there are kiosks where you buy your ticket and are very easy to use. Your ticket is good for about 2 hours which means you can transfer from one line to another without paying again. From Hollywood to Union Station which is the main hub station in downtown LA it costs only $1.25 I was thrilled over that. It costs much more here where I live.

The other aspect I liked was that these trains are fast and efficient. It only takes 15 minutes from downtown LA to Hollywood. If you drove, depending on the time of day it would take in excess of 20 minutes and then there's the parking problem. I also found these trains to be on time which was important to me while traveling back to the airport. They run every ten minutes on the Red Line. The Hollywood and Highland station is pretty cool. When you enter the station to go down to your train there are lights above you which resemble lights on a movie set. I would have loved to see this at night but I forgot to check it out.




The above map depicts the service for the Metro Red Line trains. There are several lines to include the Gold and Purple among others which service a wide area of Los Angeles county. In all I think there are eight separate lines which take you wherever you need to go. While there I used the Red Line to travel between Union & Pershing Square stations in downtown LA to Hollywood. These lines are constantly being updated to include a wider service area.

For more detailed information visit http://www.metro.net

Los Angeles Sights

El Capitan Theatre Billboard Marquee Hollywood




El Capitan Theatre Hollywood



Downtown Los Angeles Skyscrapers View From Pershing Square Station




The Jimmy Kimmel Live Show Hollywood Boulevard



Wax Museum Hollywood.

My Foolish Heart ~ Sony Holland at The Catalina Jazz Club Video

The Kodak Theatre - Hollywood

Click photos to enlarge.

Home to the Oscars and various major events in Hollywood, the Kodak Theatre sits along Hollywood Boulevard and is an extension of the Hollywood and Highland Center of which I will be blogging about later this week.

These photos do not do justice to this theatre complex. When you walk in the complex you are surrounded by high end retail such as Louis Vuitton, Giordano etc... With the lighting and white and gold columns and adornments, this theatre center is truly a star studded event in it's own right. It's difficult to see in the third photo, so click to enlarge but the stairs are actually covered in red velvet with tiny gold star lights. When you walk up the stairs you come to the entrance of the Kodak Theatre box office which you can see in the second photo. Above you is a huge white and gold dome. I did snap a photo of that but because of the lighting and time of day it did not come out well.

As you can see in the first photo this is a major tourist destination as well so all the Hollywood characters - superman, spiderman, Elvis etc... congregate outside this complex. It is really beautiful inside and something you should at least see while there. They also have tours of the inside of the theatre. For more information visit The Kodak Theatre.

Cole's Home of the French Dip

Before leaving Los Angeles, Sony and I decided to have lunch at a little spot in downtown LA's fashion district called Cole's that is famous for it's French Dip sandwich which originated in 1908. The restaurant is very charming, comfortable and cozy. It reminds me somewhat of John's Grill in San Francisco for it's ambiance and flavor. It is located within a historical landmark building and also houses a speakeasy in the back room. We wanted to get a glimpse of the room while there but they were so busy that afternoon that we just did not get a chance to see it.

The waitstaff was friendly and got our food to us very quickly. Because I was going to be flying back home to San Francisco shortly after our lunch I did not want to have a big meal. I don't like flying whether it be 45 minutes or 14 hours and I never like flying on a full stomach. So, we decided to split our order.

We had the Beef french dip sandwich, a side of bacon potato salad and a basket of garlic fries. The sandwich was very tasty on a crisp bun with the au jus on the side which I liked. So many other restaurants deliver the order with au jus already infused onto the sandwich which makes for a soggy mess. This was much more enjoyable. The potato salad had a distinct Mediterranean flavor. I'm not sure exactly what intensified this taste but whatever it was, it certainly made for a unique and scrumptious side dish. The garlic fries were delicious to say the least. Garlic roasted, crispy shoestring fries in a huge basket? You just can't get any better than that. It was truly a tasty afternoon treat and again, had I not been flying I would have had an order myself along with dessert. Next time I'll make sure to have lunch there again on the day I arrive rather than the day I leave.

We had a great time there and we'll definitely be going back again.

It is located on 6th and South Main street. It is very close to Pershing square and accessible public transportation. If you are in the Hollywood area, just take the Metro Red Line to Pershing square and walk a couple of blocks. It takes all of 15 minutes to get there. For more information visit Cole's Home of the French Dip.

Thanks Sone.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not ~ Hollywood

Click Photo To Enlarge. For more information visit Ripley's Believe It Or Not Hollywood.

Wordless Wednesday ~ The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood

Click Photos To Enlarge

The Graumans Egyptian Theatre is located on Hollywood Boulevard and has a fascinating and rich history. It is also considered a major Hollywood landmark. To see the outside plaza in person is to feel as if you are actually in Egypt. The artwork is spectacular. My next visit I will make sure to tour the inside of the theatre as well. Click here for more detailed information on Graumans Egyptian Theatre. Enjoy!

Sony Holland Catalina Jazz Club Concert Review

Sony Holland Quartet:
Theo Saunders, piano: Steve Cotter, guitar: John B. Williams, bass: Tony Austin, drums: Special guest appearance by Jerry Holland, guitar.

I am so happy I flew to Hollywood to see this concert at the Catalina Jazz Club. It was one of those experiences that I will never forget.

Seeing Sony Holland in concert is always something I look forward to and she never disappoints. This concert was nothing less than magical. Her quartet which consisted of the players listed above are in a league all their own.

The piano player, Theo Saunders, played those keys to heights of which I have never heard. He was smooth as silk and fire on ice depending on the melody and tempo of the tune. A stellar class act.

Steve Cotter on guitar had those strings singing along with drummer Tony Austin who had dancing drums at his feet. These two as a duo would be fantastic.

Now I have to admit that I had never heard any bassist of whom I really enjoyed. I've always thought to myself "why even have a bass player" because there has never been any bass player who in my opinion has stood out on a concert stage. Well, John B. Williams certainly answered that question for me. He was absolutely on fire that night. He made that bass perform as if it were a living and breathing entity. I don't remember which song it was but he did a solo that simply rocked the house. It was amazing to see.

My favorite guitarist/songwriter Jerry Holland made a special guest appearance which added a special dynamic to the entire show. Jazzy Jerry plucks those strings to a frenzy like no one I've ever seen or heard. He contributed to the show that unmistakable edge only he can provide.



These players are of a totally different caliber than most I have heard. Maybe it's because they play with jazz greats or maybe it's because they are just that good. I don't know really but whatever the case they are THE BEST I've ever heard.

Sony Holland and that delicious voice I have heard on many occasions. The last time I saw her perform with a full band was at the San Jose jazz festival. I've always thought she had the most silky smooth and alluring voice around, no matter the song choice. Well, to hear her with these musicians at the Catalina jazz club was magical. She was simply on another level that evening. A level to which not only complimented and fit the music but a level that I never even thought existed. She was above and beyond sheer perfection and at her best - the best I have ever heard her sing.

Many tunes stood out. The Etta James classic "At Last" is a favorite of Sony's fans and a tune that is expected during her shows. This song in my mind is a true test of the musicians' abilities. They absolutely blew this tune out of the water, again, to a higher level. Sentimental Mood has been performed in the past by Sony and her various players both as a standard and swing tune. At the Catalina, the band performed it as a samba - it was fiery, sexy and hot! The Elton John hit Honky Cat had concert goers dancing in their seats. By the time the concert was ready to close Sony and her band had the audience in a frenzy, wanting more and more. With a couple of standing ovations and after about and hour and a half, we still wanted more. It was phenomenal.

The concert had us in complete awe. At one point during the concert my friends and I turned to each other in unison and uttered WOW! We were blown away. This was, in my opinion one of if not the best concerts I have ever seen or heard. I would fly anywhere to see Sony and this band again. Excellence does not even come close to describing Sony Holland and her quartet @ The Catalina Club.

The Catalina Jazz Club Review

I made a special trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles to attend the Sony Holland concert at the Catalina Jazz Club. I had never been to the Catalina so I had no idea what to expect.

I arrived the morning of the concert and decided to take a walk along Sunset Blvd. to get a feel for the area. The club is actually located inside an office building. Their marquee is mounted outside the building with flashing lights displaying the club and artist names. It was exciting to see Sony's name in lights.



Since I had never been there I decided to arrive early at 7:00 p.m. when the doors opened. The person cleaning the outside area of the building buzzed me in the front door of the building and the club was identifiable by a simple sign on a door located on the first floor of the building. I walked in the door and was pleasantly surprised. The host was so friendly and welcoming that I felt as if I had walked onto the set of "Cheers." The club had that distinct feeling all evening. I was also thrilled to see two of my friends from the Bay Area there as well.

The club itself has an L shape to it which is very interesting and I think well thought out for the venue. The main club area has table vignettes which seat anywhere from two people to around ten people situated around the stage so that no matter where you are the stage is the main focal point in the room. Even if you are at the bar which is the longer part of that L shape, you still have a good view. Each table was set with tablecloths, menus and flyers with the artist information. I found these extras very appealing which high end jazz clubs normally do not provide.

The lighting I found to be the best I have ever encountered in any club, jazz or otherwise. I was able to actually see my bill when presented with the dim lighting during the concert as well as the menus and upcoming show information. Normally clubs are so dark, especially during a concert that you cannot see anything. Here the lighting in my opinion was perfect. Even the lighting on the stage was good enough that we were able to get photos without a flash as can be seen in this post. Usually in clubs, the lighting is such that it will distort the actual colors of the musician's attire though not the case here. I really liked that.

The sound was crisp and clear. You could hear each instrument along with the vocals without anyone drowning out the other. It wasn't too loud or too soft but right on key, throughout.

I do not drink alcohol so it's always tough to find something I enjoy. They have a full bar which offered non alcoholic drinks including beer of which I ordered Buckley's and enjoyed it very much. I did not eat here as I had dinner earlier but my friend did order dinner and seemed to enjoy what he ordered. This brings me to another point I would like to mention. Most clubs require two drink minimum when attending a show. The Catalina gives you a choice of either a two drink minimum or dinner. I love the fact that they provide a choice. I also want to mention that when reading reviews of the Catalina I found so many people stating how expensive it was to attend a show here. NOT TRUE. If you frequent music venues, especially high end premier venues like the Catalina as I do on a regular basis, you'll find their prices to be in line and competitive with all the other venues out there. The cover charges vary depending on the artist and the dinner and drink prices are standard. They are not expensive at all. My bill? One non alcoholic beer and a ginger ale with a 30% tip = $17.00. Now I normally never tip 30% but I loved this venue.

The service was friendly, quick and non intrusive. The servers knew when to approach for your second drink and were very cautious not to interrupt or obstruct the view of the patrons. They were helpful, knew what they were doing and very friendly.

When Sony Holland performs at premier jazz clubs, her friends provide a champagne and dessert reception after the show. Normally the champagne and dessert is buffet style located in the bar area. At the Catalina, servers provided the dessert trays to the audience which I thought was very special. It was that extra touch provided by the club that makes this venue so wonderful.

As I said in the beginning of this post, I had that friendly feeling all evening. Now I know why this club is considered to be the premier jazz club in LA. I've been to many in the Bay Area and have to admit I enjoyed this club over and above any other I've experienced. I will definitely go back to see Sony if and when she again performs at the Catalina. In fact, if anyone I really like will be performing there, I will absolutely make that trip from SF to LA to see them. That is exactly how much I enjoyed the Catalina.

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

The wax celebrity figures here look so real in person that you feel like they are actually there. For more information visit Madame Tussauds

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Click Photos To Enlarge.

One of the things I wanted to do while in Hollywood was to get a photo of Michael Jackson's star which you can see below. I also took a few shots of some of my favorite entertainers which are also shown below. The stars are located along a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard with some of the major stars located in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Right in front of the theatre are autographs and footprints along with notes, artwork etc... by some stars etched into the cement. I didn't take any photos of those because of the lighting situation.

I have to say it was fun seeing these stars until I found Michael Jackson's star and something just clicked. I stood there looking at his star deeply saddened that especially on this particular day, October 28th - the day his "This Is It" was opening in theatres across the country, his star lay etched into the ground, alone and with people just mindlessly walking over it oblivious to the fact it was there. The larger than life megastar musician of whom there will never be another comparable to his talent is immortalized with a star along Hollywood Blvd. Somehow this bothered me and I realized though these stars are recognition for entertainers and a novelty for tourists, they really don't mean that much in the grand scheme of life.

On a humorous note I was walking along the boulevard and came across a few people laughing hysterically surrounding a particular star. I went over to see who it was and found Judge Judy's star amongst the Hollywood elite. Judge Judy? The Absolut Vodka star makes more sense than Judge Judy. Don't get me wrong, I love watching her but a star in Hollywood? I had to join in the laughter over that one.

Click here for more information on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Hollywood Boulevard Characters

Me and my Superhero :) Click photos to enlarge the image

The cast of characters roaming Hollywood Boulevard is really quite a novelty. I first thought that maybe these people were just dressed up for Halloween but when talking to my superhero in the above photo, I found out that these people are actually out there on a daily basis and make their living taking photos with and receiving tips from tourists.

Some are more popular than others and some are also more aggressive than others. Elvis was one of those aggressive ones. When I snapped the photo of him which you'll see below, he came over to me, put his arm through mine and asked some guy to take our photo with my camera. While I love Elvis, I did not like his particular aggressive nature and pulled away. However, superman was much more sweet, charming, young and flirty, not to mention those huge muscles so of course I posed with him and slipped him a few bucks.

From then on I tried to be sly getting photos without having to pay them but it is difficult. For the most part, they are all very nice and friendly and the kids love them. You can find them around the heavily visited attractions like Graumans Chinese Theatre and The Hollywood Highland Center.

Enjoy!


Elvis is in the house



Darth Vader was pretty lonely out there



Superman and ? - sorry I forgot his name sharing stories



Snoopy, Superman and some dominatrix who just happened to walk along as I snapped the photo. The dominatrix - not one of the regular characters out there

Hollywood Here I Come

Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com

I wanted to let all of you know that I am off to Hollywood to see Sony and her quartet perform this week. Since it's been so long that I've visited Hollywood I decided to stay for a bit and have a mini vacation while there. I plan to do some sightseeing and will hopefully have many photos to share with you when I return.

Since I'm considering this a short vacation, I will not be online again until Friday at the earliest. So, I will be visiting all of you again at the end of this week.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Jo