Society Page
by Midge Grebbins
After considerable haggling with the landlord, Star Irvine, proud parent of Eagles Coffee Pub, finally succeeded in negotiating a lease for the space next door. The space will be known as the NoHo Newsstand, featuring an art gallery, performance space and, of course, a newsstand. Star plans on decorating and furnishing to create a comfortable place to read, write, or enjoy a performance over a cup of Eagle’s renowned java. A welcome addition and relief from the fold-up, hard, often uneven chairs of Eagles proper.
The space was previewed on October 29 with a party co-hosted by Spazz Magazine, an alternative ‘zine of comic strip art, featuring artists Mike Sosnowski, Greg Weber, Ron Tweedie, and the music of Sons of the Sun and Borax.
Construction in the El Portal Theatre is well under way. One can now actually visualize very easily what the end product will be, and it looks very exciting. An “under construction” party is planned for November 13, featuring a construction motif. A makeshift dance floor will be in the foyer, and there will be ongoing performances of scenes from successful Actors Alley shows of the past.
After touring the work in progress, Jeff Nelson, nominator of the theatre for its historic status, was pleased with the commitment on the part of Terry Evans, project manager, to preserve and restore the historic features of the theater. The historic appeal of the theater is a definite drawing card, as anyone who has experienced the theatre will confirm. Anyone interested in this aspect of the theatre should make some effort to support it, either financially or otherwise. Some specialized labor is needed for restoration work, and there is very little budget to go above and beyond the minimum required by law. Contact Terry at 818-508-4200.
Starting in November, Tuesday nights are Board Game Night at the Iguana Café. So if you have the standard backgammon, chess or checkers mind set, you’ll find a few worthy opponents at the Iguana. If you’re into something a bit more eclectic, owner Tom Ianniello promises a wide array of obscure pursuits, Trivial and otherwise. Other November highlights? The 20th is the “NoHo Best Bet” at the Iguana. Just come at 8 pm and stay all night for five great sets of music. Singer-songwriter Bradley Ditto starts you out at 8 pm, followed by Linda Brown at 9, Taylor and Brown at 10, Dan McFeeley at 11, and throw-down rock with October at midnight. Come before 11 and stay all night for $3. After 11, the cover goes up to $5.
Fans of Steven Spielberg’s television show SeaQuest will be interested in seeing Walkers, the new play at the Road Theatre in Van Nuys. The play features the husband and wife acting team of Richard and Patricia Herd, a.k.a. Admiral William Noyce and Janet Noyce on SeaQuest. Directed by Dan Butler and written by Barbara Lindsay, the play is billed as a “comedy with tragic consequences.” Based on the strong track record of the Road Theatre, this definitely goes on the recommended list.
The Boom Boom Room, on the corner of Colfax and Riverside, needs help. If you are among the reliable unemployed, know your cappuccinos, like to schmooze with the neighborhood regulars, have a flexible schedule, call owner Richard Giorla at 753-9966. It sounds to us like an o.k. job, and think of the free buzzes you can have (on caffeine, that is).
However, caveat applicant, as we’ve noticed that the owner has a preference for specifically hiring young blonds of the female gender. When asked why there are no males under his employ, Giorla replied, “Girls will work harder for you, that’s just the way it is. Besides,” he added, “if I hired guys, I’d have to deal with their egos.” ♦