Society Page
by Midge Grebbens
August
The Lankershim Arts Center, which has long lay fallow, is now starting to see some activity. For the past couple of years, the Center has been undergoing extensive renovation, delayed by budget problems but moving forward nonetheless. One of the biggest hurdles has been the installation of an elevator for handicapped access to the second floor. The L.A. Cultural Affairs Department has overcome programming problems by offering several community arts centers to local arts organizations. A consortium of arts organizations led by the Road Theatre has won the recommendation of the Cultural Affairs Department to move in to the Lankershim Arts Center as early as October of this year, subject to the approval of the city council.
In addition to the Road Theatre, which has been producing good quality theatre in their Van Nuys industrial park space, the consortium consists of the Martin Dancers, the Synthaxis Theatre Company, and the Los Angeles Printmaking Society. The Martin Dancers is a modern dance troupe that incorporates the style and technique of the late Lester Horton; the Synthaxis Theatre Company produces interactive theatre for youth; and the Los Angeles Printmaking Society is an organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the art of printmaking.
Rumor has it that Ronnie Mack, the patron saint of the L.A. and American roots music scene, will be appearing at Linda’s Doll Hut out in Anaheim on August 29. Mack, who is best known for his Tuesday night Barndance at the Palomino in North Hollywood, is one of the community’s finest guitar players and performers. Because he spends so much time touting other artists, his own talent tends to get overlooked. The Doll Hut date is a definite don’t-miss (for more information, call 714-533-1286).
Also, look for the Pal to be the location of many special events in the months ahead. September 18 is the all-day Gram Parsons tribute, spearheaded by the exceptional singer/songwriter Eddie Cunningham. This event will benefit Angel Flight. And Eddie is involved in another Parsons tribute project in Nashville . . . stay tuned for more on that!
Happenin’ Harry, perhaps the Valley’s best known rock club promoter, is now booking shows seven nights a week at Harry’s Back Alley Grill on Vineland at Victory. Harry’s is seriously moving into the Valley rock club scene, knocking down a wall to make room for a good-size stage and putting together a decent sound system. The kitchen is open for serious greasy food, just the way you like it. One shaved and tattooed patron said the quesadillas were even better than what they served in San Quentin. One word of warning: the bathrooms are in desperate need of renovation. But I’ll take live, loud, original rock ’n’ roll any day, regardless of the condition of the facilities.
The Iguana Cafe will be temporarily closing from August 15 to September 1. Tom, the immutable proprietor of the Iguana, is of course being mysterious and vague about why. Apparently some sort of redecorating, or some other physical change, is in the offing. He is also suggesting that he will advertise the change when the time comes. Now you know something’s up if Tom, famous for his penny pinching, is making noise about spending money on advertising.
Classics, classics, classics. A new theatre company has opened above the bowling alley next to Jerry’s Deli. The Excalibur Theatre Company is offering up The Taming of the Shrew as its first effort. Early word has it that the costume design alone is spectacle enough to check it out!
Love Is All That Matters, Doug Caldwell’s moving tribute of dance, is making a return engagement for one weekend only, August 5, 6, 7. If you’ve ever enjoyed seeing the human body in motion, this is something you shouldn’t miss. Call 818-980-3336 to get your tickets now. ♦