The Royal Society of St. George California Branch recently held their celebration and awards gala at the beautiful Hollywood Museum located in the historic former Max Factor Building... It was a pleasure to meet Scotsman Alex J. Sinclair who flew in especially for the event from San Francisco, who remarked, "Attending the Royal Society of St. George's Gala at the Hollywood Musuem was a tremendous honor, representing both the British Benevolent Society and Saint Andrew's Society of San Francisco as President. The evening beautifully reflected how British charities can unite to preserve tradition while delivering meaningful aid where it's needed most. Under the visionary leadership of HRH Princess Karen Cantrell, the event brought together change makers committed to service, culture and community. I was especially proud to support Dr. Spencer Dayton in his appointment as Secretary and to welcome Sandro Monetti as our official Los Angeles Ambassador for the British Benevolent Society. The night just wasn't a celebration, it was a reminder that collaboration makes compassion go further."
It was truly a regal and enjoyable evening! It is always great to see the beautiful and wise Ratu Muda Princess Karen Cantrell who is Chairman of the group founded in 1894. King Charles lll is a Patron. George Chakiris, Michele Lee, Donna Mills, Sandro Monetti, Christopher Gialanella, Kent Speakman, Alex J. Sinclair, Lingyun Xiang , Morgain T.King, Rex Smith, Eve Richards and Melisa Niece Smith were among those who attended to honor museum president Donelle Dadigan as an Honorary Lifetime Member - Chairman of Special Projects. The keynote speaker was director Victoria Bousis who spoke about AI. Thank you publicist Roger Neal for the invitation to this incredible event. Please visit their website to see all the honorees...https://www.royalsocietysaintgeorge.com
My good friend 50s actress Kathleen Hughes died peacefully in her sleep .. She was 96 and a half years old & was hoping to make it to 100 like her mother Kathleen did. We will miss her always..Her screaming poster from Universal's It Came from Outer Space is iconic. She was married to award winning producer/writer Stanley Rubin for almost 60 years. She missed him deeply and I hope they are having a happy heavenly reunion. Condolences to the Rubin family on this profound loss of a life well lived. She was truly one of the nicest people ever. Ironically the last time I saw her was early Sunday morning Mother's Day right before the Motion Picture Mother's luncheon at the famous Smokehouse restaurant -- Kathy was like a 2nd mother to me. RIP dear friend.
Actress Kathy Garver who starred in the Classic Hollywood TV Series Family Affair joined her talented friend acclaimed author/entertainment reporter Nelson Aspen at the launch party for his newest book Kindred Spirits A Titantic Tale at the luxurious Four Seaons Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Also attending the gathering were Titanic's Rebbeca Klinger, soap stars Kate Linder , Carolyn Hennesy and Sean Kanan , Danny Arroyo, Sean Patrick Murtagh, Tina Joseff, James Darrius, Anissa Roberts & Alice Amter. Thank you publicist Harlan Boll for the fun invitation. I'm looking forward to reading the book! Kathy Garver gets around. I was her guest at the Motion Picture Mothers Luncheon that I previously mentioned and it was a very nice event full of camaraderie and good will. Jerry Mathers attended with his wife Theresa & Mom Marilyn - we celebrated her 98th birthday. Jenna Elfman also attended with her Mom and sister. Oscar nominated songstress Carol Connors was the special guest. She serenaded us beautifully with a song she wrote about her ex beau Elvis Presley the day he died. Her new book is called Elvis Rocky & Me and she will be at Graceland for Elvis' next birthday celebration. Another juicy book to enjoy!
It was a pleasure to meet talented artist Gina Herrera - her beautiful sculpture The Grasshopper is featured at MOA in downtown Lancaster as part of their great mother exhibit. It's a beautiful museum and admission is free.
I thoroughly enjoyed Odalys Nunin's FRIDA - Stroke of Passion: The Immersive Experience at Casa 0101. The special engagement recapped the mysterious last week of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo re enacted by the talented Odalys Nunin & her amazing cast. Audience members are engulfed by Frida's story with her art and nature pictures... it was truly an immersive experience of beautiful art, passionate acting, great singing and dramatic storytelling. Her husband artist Diego Rivera was very well portrayed by Oscar Basulto . Other standouts in the great cast were Swisyzinna as Josephine Baker as well as Giselle Murillo as Maria Felix. Visit macha.org for more info.
Talented actress/writer Venessa Verdugo will be showcasing her new one woman show Hooligani which previews Saturday June 12th 12:45 pm at Hollywood Fringe. The premise is a madam under indictment for sex trafficking makes her case before the jury. Regular performances are Friday June 13 5pm and Wednesday June 25 9pm. Visit http://www.hollyiwoodfringe.or/projects/12186 for info on all the shows this year!
A very enjoyable production of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale is playing til June 14 at Skylight Theatre. Directed, translated and adapted by Tracy Young. Cast members Spencer Jamison and Daniel DeYoung are Visit http://www.skylighttheatre.org for more details....
Aspiring Magazine hosted a cool afternoon soiree at the SLS Beverly Hills Hotel on LaCienaga. Thank you publisher Cynthia Hudson. The beautiful people turned up amass and, well, looked beautiful watching other beautiful people in the fashion shows...Nice to meet singer Katja Glieson who was hanging out with Kash Hovey, Meredith Thomas and Rico Anderson. Robby Benson's mom Ann Benson was also there with her sister Sandy Benson and their friend producer David immerman. Check out the Ask Ann podcasts!
I attended a very moving celebration of life for movie actor Mel Novak which was officiated by our mutual friend and favorite Pastor/Actress Lee Benton in Hollywood. Mel Novak first made his mark when who starred with Bruce Lee in Game of Death. He had a wonderful acting career in movies and TV but wanted to be remembered for his ministerial work - He dedicated years of his life helping and ministering to people on Skid Row and in prisons which is truly to be commended Indie film producer Clinton H.Wallace told me " Mel was a very dear friend as well as a mentor to me during my transition from photography to producing. We met at the Martial Arts History Museum and then I shot publicity shots for his film Samurai Cop 2. We loved discussing history, religion and spirituality. He was a great guy who was dedicated to supporting & inspiring independent filmmakers and will be missed."
We also mourn the loss of the lovely Cora Sue Collins who rose to stardom as a child in movies. Screen Icon Greta Garbo personally selected Cora Sue to play her as a child for the film Queen Christina. The 2 actresses kept in touch until Greta's death. Greta always asked her to call her by her nickname G.G. but Cora Sue would always call her Miss Garbo out of respect even decades after they worked together. Cora Sue would often join Greta for her famous long fast walks in New York City when she was there. Cora Sue had a wonderful and exciting life and was kind and sweet to everyone. In one of the pictures I took we were having lunch at La Boheme after she was honored by Cinecon and the other picture I took was when she was honored by the Costume Designers Guild in Burbank. I will always appreciate the invitation to this event by costume designer/film historian Mikael Sharafyan. This very kind lady will be missed by all.
It's nice to know that Christopher Meoli's Cinespace Lounge at 6464 Sunset Blvd has reopened! It's one of the best places in Los Angeles to enjoy movies! Visit http://www.cinelounge.com - Jean Renoir's 1939 film The Rules of the Games will be playing there soon!
P.S. It was very nice to meet Cincinatti's Julie Leis Raleigh who is President & CEO of Madi's House http://www.mhincy.org and actor writer producer Elliot Hebaler who flew in with his parents from Cincinatti as well. Elliot co-stars in a new movie called The Private Eye with Eric Roberts and Matt Rife who has become a big star. Thanks to MPM President Sharon Gorrell, Irene Exter & their team for the hospitality.
HH