Not such a long absence this time, as I wanted to report on my whirlwind weekend. Well, it was kind of a whirlwind. I had my final surgery on Friday--to take out the chemo ports and thereby finalizing my cancer treatment. That I could be diagnosed with cancer, treated and in remission--all with three months left in the year--is very surreal to me.
I probably should have relaxed the past few days, but I had places to go and fun stuff to do. Let's take a look.
The neighborhood is really taking shape...
...my friends Don and David's place looks amazing!
On Saturday, I stopped by Heritage Square Museum with my friend Vivian for a Halloween Mourning Tour. You know--it's that beautiful cluster of Victorian buildings you always pass on the 110 and tell yourself, "I should really check that place out some time," but you never do. Well, I was glad I finally did.
The beautiful Hale House.
Who says L.A. doesn't have any history?
A 30s-era funeral, complete with sobbing children.
We even attended a seance, had our fortunes told and our tarot cards read. My future is looking good, in case you were wondering.
Afterwards, I grabbed a quick slice from Town Pizza on York Boulevard in Highland Park. So good! Definitely check this place out if you are on the Eastside and have a pizza craving.
That night I attended the L.A. Opera's season opener of two one-acts--Dido and Aeneas by Henry Purcell...
Photo via LAOpera.org
...and Bluebeard's Castle by Bela Bartok.
Photo via LAOpera.org
Driving home from the opera, I was introduced to the Concord Sonata by Charles Ives. Um...how did I, a devoted Transcendentalist, not know about this piece, which features a movement devoted to each of the writers--Emerson, Hawthorne, the Alcotts and Thoreau. The sonata was transcribed by composer Henry Brant for orchestra.
A page from Ives's Concord Sonata via Post Classic.
Sunday night I attended the Rock Against MS benefit at the Village Recording Studio in West L.A. The event was hosted by guitarist Billy Morrison, my dear friend Joey Feldman and DJ'd by Shepard Fairey.
On the drive, I listened to another fascinating piece, Benjamin Britten's Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge. Britten began studying composition with Bridge when he was only 14 years old. Each variation is a tribute to aspects of Bridge's personality--his humor, warmth, integrity, etc. What a wonderful way to honor a teacher.
The benefit was a blast. It's been so long since I dressed up and went out. Joey's art is part whimsy, part horror and all crazy awesome.
Artist Joey Feldman was the man of the night, bedecked in a paisley smoking jacket.
I spotted Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Mark McGrath, Steve Jones and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Sorry, celeb spotting goes with the L.A. territory.
Clockwise from top: More Joey Feldman art, lovely party guests, hanging
with singer Lita Pentaherra and Tony Denison from "Major Crimes."
That's all for now. Next weekend is Halloween! I'll be back with more. xoL
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