Charles Bradley is a Beautiful Man!

On Sunday, August 28, I took a trip to Echo Park to hear Charles Bradley, the Screaming Eagle of Soul, and the Menehan Street Band play at the Echo. Dam it was good. Charles’ music reaches straight to my heart and soul.

I arrived early to find out it was going to start two hours from what I expected. So, I looked for somewhere to hang. While walking about, I ran into Charles walking the same direction and greeted him. He took the time to stop and chat about things. We talked about the hurricane and he mentioned how he was worried about his Ma in New York. Man, he was worried about his mom and shared that! He is such a nice, humble, down to earth and pleasant man.


His 60-70's soul revival genre and his lyrics about his personal experiences are so relevant today with the struggle that many people are going through in the U.S.

When he took the stage and he put so much emotion and energy in his singing that you knew it had meaning...very deep soul. The interaction I had with him and with his incredible performance, it’s easy for me to say that Charles Bradley is a Beautiful Man.

Serge Gainsbourg Tribute Weekend! "vie héroîque"

This is a very special occasion, a Serge Gainsbourg tribute weekend filled with his music and the long awaited film "Gainsbourg, vie héroîque" (Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life). I’ve been waiting for this film to be shown in Los Angeles. It was shown once, while I was out of town. It’s a rare occasion indeed for this Francophile who loves French 60's Pop and La Nouvelle Vague (French New Wave Cinema).

I admire Serge a great deal and consider him one of my ALL TIME heroes. Yes, he's provocative, lascivious and over all edgy but who isn’t? If your not, your either lying or live a very boring life. Ahh..This is gonna be good, entertaining, and glorious!

Ok so..

Friday, August 26 8:00pm at Cinefamily on Fairfax is the FREE SNEAK PREVIEW: Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life (w/ live set by Paris Loves L.A.!)

Saturday, August 27, 6:15 pm, at the Cinefamily on Fairfax Gainsbourg And His Girls (08/27, 6:15pm, DIRECTOR IN PERSON!)

Sun., August 28, 7:00pm Hollywood Bowl, Serge Gainsbourg Tribute.
A musical tribute with people like Beck and other kickass artist.

Sturm und Drang in Los Angeles:Wagner Rings Festival

It's about time that one of the Largest International Metropolitan Cities strives to host a world class International Arts and Cultural Festival specific to an artisan like Wagner. Excellent choice. Salzburg has Mozart and Los Angeles will have Wagner.

Waiting and hoping for Wagner to appear in LA Phil and Opera's repertoire will be no longer and the "fest" shall ensue.

P.s. Thanks to all those with the foresight like L.A. Opera General Director Plácido Domingo, my county Supervisors Gloria Molina, Zev Yaroslavsky, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and philanthropist Eli Broad.

Yes! Obama Secures Delegate Threshold

Despite a long and bitter battle, Obama comes out on top. I admire him greatly for keeping his cool and responding with finesse when assaulted by Clinton. Clinton really tried hard to incite Obama and get him on defensive and offensive.

Now, I really hope the party comes together and Clinton repairs her damage and does not depart or demand things in spite and poor sports ship.

Onward and forward!

Time to Move-On; Campaign 2008

After today’s June Primaries, it's time to move on to the general election and defeat McCant (McCain).

Dems need to get over the in-fighting and lay in on the Reps. Those of my Democratic brothers and Sisters in California know that we must really plan on going out of Cal to make a serious impact.

There are party leaders or pseudo leaders who rally troops in heavily democratic districts should really think about this and forgo the ego. I find that some political activist who lay claim to local leadership get people worked up to work in dem strongholds to stroke their ego for having "done something" in the elections. NOT!

If you want to win pack your bags and rough it in a state that really matters in the General Election. Otherwise, local campaigning in heavy dem districts is just an exercise of ego.

Mount up and stay thirsty my friends!

Great to be American

It's great to be reminded how privileged we are to be Americans in America. Beautiful country, freedoms, diversity, and the unbound pursuit of happiness.

de Tocquevilled
T. Jefferson
John Muir
R.W. Emerson
R. Frost
H.W. Longfellow
W. Whitman