Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts

Friday, August 22, 2025

Walking In LA...

I live in what they refer to as a walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles, meaning I can get to most everything I need to on foot.

Thus it gives one a different perspective than when you travel in your car all the time.

It allows me to see things I wouldn't usually see and take in views around me with a unique perspective.

The other day I was on a mission to Home Depot and this is the view that caught my photographers eye.

It was taken from behind the driveway on the backside of HD and "Yes" you can obviously really see the Hollywood Sign from there.

Hey, on a clear day you can see forever...

TGIF!

The Hollywood Sign on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywood_Sign   

Friday, August 8, 2025

Cine Pride Film Festival

CinePride Film Festival is proud to announce the 31 films officially selected for its highly anticipated inaugural edition, taking place in Los Angeles from September 11–14. The four-day celebration of queer cinema will make its debut at Landmark Theatres Sunset in Los Angeles, presenting a powerful lineup that reflects the richness, resilience, and diversity of the global LGBTQIA+ community.


This year’s official selection features a dynamic mix of feature-length narratives, documentaries, and shorts spanning a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, romance, thriller, and experimental film. Six films will make their world premieres at CinePride, with an additional four celebrating their U.S. or North American debuts. Ten more will be screened for the first time on the West Coast. Showcasing both international voices and emerging homegrown talent, CinePride 2025 provides a bold and inclusive platform for queer storytellers to share their visions on the big screen. 

We are thrilled at the response of the global LGBTQIA+ community of film makers who submitted for CinePride's inaugural edition,” says Cecilio Asuncion, Executive Director of CinePride Film Festival. “Thisyear's selections are excellent and is a strong testament that LGBTQIA+ voices and stories from around the world will not be erased! We can't wait to welcome audiences to celebrate these incredible stories with us in LA this September.”

Highlights from the 2025 official selection include:

  • Queer Bait – A precocious classics student is invited to dinner after he piques the interest of a tenured professor. But when his teacher's mentorship starts to push boundaries, he's forced to make a choice: protect his academic future, or preserve his dignity?  The tense drama executive produced by Cate Blanchett makes its film festival debut at CinePride.

  • Maxxie LaWow: Drag Super-shero – an animated musical fantasy featuring the voices of Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCrème, Heide N Closet, Monét X Change and Rosé.  When drag queens start disappearing, a shy young barista must summon his inner super-shero to rescue them from an ambitious evil drag queen bent on harvesting their magical anti-aging tears. CinePride marks the first time this fun animated feature will be screened theatrically in Los Angeles

  • A Life Inside Me – Set in rural South Asia, this captivating drama tells the story of a terminally ill father who wishes to live his final days as his true self — a woman — and his daughter who is trapped in an abusive marriage. The U.S. premiere of this groundbreaking Indian film will happen at CinePride.

  • And You Are…? – Jane Seymour stars in And You Are...?, a most unlikely of buddy films that follows Lynn, a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's who only has the past to prove she exists. Her grandson Max, desperately wants to erase his past as it never proved his true existence.  Already winning acclaim on the international festival circuit, the film makes it Hollywood premiere at CinePride!

  • Lip Sync Assassin - Sampaguita, a fabulous drag queen moonlights as a hired killer to earn extra money and provide a good life for her talented daughter and sickly mother. Just when she thought she could handle any contract killing mission, her new target tests how far she can go to support her loved ones.  The thrilling Filipino short film makes its World Premiere at CinePride!  
Screenings will be enhanced by workshops, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and a Director’s Brunch. Additionally, CinePride Film Festival will present awards in categories including Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Lead Performance, Best Director, and the Trailblazer Award. The coveted Audience Choice Award will be decided by festival goers.

“CinePride isn’t just a film festival; it’s a movement that belongs in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the film industry,” declares Programming Director Miguel Santos. “It’s about creating space for globally resonant queer stories that challenge conventions, defy genre, and deserve to be seen in theaters. We’re setting the stage for the next generation of storytellers who will redefine what’s possible in film.”

For the full list of films selected for CinePride Film Festival 2025, go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqWrp15eM6nRH9yDXN6PI9btloAmDr3WfJe0yo04N-8/edit?tab=t.0

For more information, visit CinePride.org and follow @CinePrideFilmFest on social media.   

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Summer In The City

"Hot town, summer in the city, Back of my neck gettin' dirty and gritty, Been down, isn't it a pity? Doesn't seem to be a shadow in the city, All around, people lookin' half dead, Walkin' on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head" Summer In The City, The Lovin' Spoonful

Whilst traveling by Uber on a perfect Summer Day in Los Angeles, CA I spied a woman at a Bus Stop with hues of the season. 

It was an iconic Summer moment...captured on a perfectly sunny afternoon...

You're Welcome

Summer on the WWW -

https://www.meetsummer.com/      

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Walking In LA...

While I was running errands the other day in Hollywood, to what did my roving eyes did appear, Chucky & Tiffany the two most notorious killer dolls ever to unleash terror on the big screen!

They stared at me malevolently from the display in the window of the historic Hollywood Toys & Costumes. The store has been in Hollywood for 75 years and counting.

It's one of the great things about living in Los Angeles, you get to see all the great history that has been made here every day.

Especially Hollywood, it's very close to where I live and I head up to the Blvd at least once a month have lunch and walk around and take in everything it has to offer.

Hooray For Hollywood!

Hollywood Toys & Costumes on the WWW -

https://hollywoodtoysandcostumes.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopNRPTeF7_qiglmG_rfhY5xJTCNaGyrTCmB7IsYe14uzB2LC0TU  

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Walking In LA...

As a resident of Los Angeles, CA I am fortunate enough to live in a walkable hood. Thus I travel on foot most of the time. I love it because you see things you otherwise wouldn't in your car bubble.

I spied this van across the street whilst walking the other day.

So many things spring to mind seeing this. Especially one thing in particular...

Venture a guess? I double dog dare ya!!!

Los Angeles on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles 

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Let's Make A Deal

Saw this sign while heading to a destination in my Uber the other day in Los Angeles, CA. While the city has been devastated and fires keep burning, let it not be said that the people of Los Angeles do not have a sense of humor. 

So I wonder how much they would sell me a soul for if I inquired? Or perhaps I could sell them mine? I wonder how much that would get on the open market???

There are so many questions I don't know where to begin!

"Yes" I know there is a number on the signage to call, but do I really want to? I mean what kind of weird conversation would I be having???

For now I'll pass on being a super sleuth and go about my business during this trying time.

PS This also shows you the whole city is not on fire.

Mic Drop!

Want to help? Here is a list of what you can do.

https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/how-to-help-la-fire-victims

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Devastated

The Pacific Palisades

As a resident of Los Angeles and LA County I am devastated at the enormous loss the people of this city have suffered at the hands of the California Wildfires.

It destroyed a whole community single handedly the Pacific Palisades. This community was established in 1921. It was nestled on the Pacific Coast and had amazing ocean views.

This was a place of beauty that people called home. The residents that lived there are completely at a loss. 

It's existed for 104 years and took only hours to destroy it. This should give you some perspective on how truly horrible this disaster is.

While I'm not going to get political about the situation. Suffice it to say the other fires that sprang up in non related areas are suspect of arson at this point.

Today is going to be a long one with the firefighters still battling the blazes natural and otherwise.

Please send them your energy and strength.

Thank You.

The Pacific Palisades on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Palisades,_Los_Angeles 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Hump Day & Chill


As you have most likely heard Southern California is under siege by fires that started in the Pacific Palisades. They are truly devastating the Los Angeles County area.

So today we shall Hump Day & Chill and follow our hearts. Please use this to send good energy to the people in the city trust me it is much needed.

Love,
Michael

For more information on the fires please visit this website -

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Hump Day & Chill

Downtown Los Angeles
Photo:
Michael Shinafelt

"All is quiet on New Year's Day

A world in white gets underway
I want to be with you
Be with you night and day
Nothing changes on New Year's Day
On New Year's Day
I will be with you again
I will be with you again" 
New Year's Day, U2
It's New Year's Day the perfect time to Hump Day & Chill. Happy 2025 Minions!!!
New Year's Day on Wikipedia -

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Arms Around America

Fostering dialogue around pressing social issues in the U.S., Dan Froot & Company (DF&Co) is a Los Angeles-based theater troupe known for their collaborative approach to theater-making, and for positioning art at the center of civic discourse. For their latest project, Arms Around America, the group explores the stories of real families from around the country whose lives have been shaped by guns. Artistic Director Dan Froot and his compassionate associates spent several years conducting six book-length oral histories of families in Southern California, South Florida, and Western Montana. These oral histories provide the basis for DF&Co’s world premiere offerings: a six-episode podcast launching on June 30, 2024, followed by live theatrical performances premiering in Los Angeles (November 15 & 16), Miami (February 21 & 22, 2025), and Helena (February 28 & March 1, 2025). For more information on these immersive auditory and live experiences, please visit: https://www.danfroot.com/arms-around-america.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Celebrate!

Booze!
Karen Castrischer & Michael Shinafelt

"Yes" it's that time again, it's time for Cinco de Mayo! Here I am with my friend for life Karen Castrischer celebrating at the world famous El Coyote in Los Angeles, CA back in the day (what day, I'm not gonna spill on that)

Enjoy and celebrate!

El Coyote on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/elcoyotecafe/?hl=en 

Friday, July 21, 2023

Barbie Is Everything !!!

Alright Minions today is the official opening day of the Barbie Movie and I'm gonna be there 1:20 this afternoon Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Los Angeles.

Here's hoping they have one of those Barbie doll boxes I can get a photo of myself in. "Yes" I am riding the pink wave like many of you out there.

TGIF! It's time to party with Barbie!!!

Barbie Movie on the WWW -

https://www.barbie-themovie.com/   

Monday, March 27, 2023

Expatriate


 LA-raised singer-songwriter Sophia Marie has released her sophomore EP, “the expatriate, immortalized.”

Sophia says, “Your Songs Are Shit!” depicts the experience of going out with a fellow singer and songwriter. It’s inspired by one time I skipped class while studying abroad and showed up to his concert unannounced. This song is about trying to convince yourself that you don’t care about someone, that you’re totally fine and over them, that you think their songs are shitty because their shallow self prevents any lyrical or sonic depth, but, at the same time, you’re there at his concert, spending 20 euros on a ticket, mouthing every single lyric back to him.”

Of the new EP, she shares, “I recorded these three songs in Los Angeles over the summer of 2022 right before my senior year at Georgetown. I wrote the first song “Femme Fatale” while in the middle of my study abroad at Trinity College the fall of 2021. I wrote “Your Songs Are Shit” right at the end of that same study abroad in Ireland, finalizing the lyrics the night before I took the plane from Dublin back to L.A. in late December. I wrote “Could I Be Your Muse?” during my study abroad in Florence, Italy the summer of 2022.

Looking back at these tracks in preparation for new recordings, I thought about how I wrote all these songs while assuming the role of an expatriate, singing about immortalization and historical figures and archetypes and even a singer who mimicked my own role. I wanted to tie it altogether in an EP that would make sense. I thought the title “the expatriate, (immortalized)” really perfectly encapsulated that.”

+++

Sophia Marie's music is autobiographical. Each of her songs tells the story of a young life in progress. From leaving the sunny, casual west coast for a more buttoned-up DC life at Georgetown University (where she studies International Politics) to a life-changing semester abroad in Dublin, to unrequited romances and lovesick travels, each of these experiences is vividly documented in her music.

++++

Singer and songwriter Sophia Marie George is a Los Angeles native and senior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Harboring various passions, she finds herself oscillating (sometimes rather chaotically) between many different realms: her major in International Politics, her authorship of creative works, and her love for acting in addition to her music.

Sophia often feels like an ambitious, lust-for-life, nomadic kind of girl without a particular direction, one who doesn’t know exactly what she wants to do or who she wants to be, or where she wants to end up, and her storytelling reflects that indecisiveness, that impulsiveness, that desire to do everything while she’s young. Drawing from her identity as a self-proclaimed “hopeless romantic,” Sophia has a penchant for romanticizing historical figures and events, contemporary lovers, and foreign cities, weaving in the story of her West Coast roots in sunny Los Angeles, her university life in the political and cosmopolitan mecca that is Washington D.C., and her role as an expatriate in foreign cities.

A shamelessly emotional person, Sophia’s vulnerability stands out, with witty lyrics and asides giving comedic, realist commentary on the different places and situations she finds herself in. She is a girl still very much figuring it all out, the kind of crazy soul who seeks out every opportunity and every emotion life can offer. A wildness that sometimes contradicts her inexperienced and naive demeanor, a romanticism that contradicts her occasional feelings of disillusionment, and a performative personality that often contradicts her desire for authenticity.

Website: https://www.sophiamarie.online

Sophia Marie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la.sophiamarie/

Monday, March 20, 2023

First Day Of Spring

What Spring???

Today is officially the first day of Spring. It certainly doesn't feel like it, the weather in Los Angeles is rainy and cold. 

Thus my current contentious attitude about the whole farce.

Hoping you are somewhere where it's nice and springy!!!

Spring Equinox on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_equinox 

Monday, December 19, 2022

NSFW

As the Birthday celebration and shenanigans continue today, here's where I'll be tonight...

It's a surefire not to be boring time at my favorite bar in Los Angeles, Akbar.

See you there???

Ciao!!!

Akbar on the WWW -

http://www.akbarsilverlake.com/   

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Happy Pride Los Angeles!

Celebrate!
Cardi B

This year Los Angeles got confusing for Pride season. West Hollywood went ahead and had it's usual to do last weekend and now this weekend the Parade returns to it's original location the streets of Hollywood.

"Yes" we just can't be proud enough here in LA, thus we have two Pride celebrations. Last weekend Cardi B was in the house for the West Hollywood parade. Paula Abdul will be guest of honor at this one.

Whoever shows up I'm sure a fun time will be had by all!!!

Happy Pride Los Angeles Minions from me and Cardi B....

BTW in case you are wondering I did not go to the West Hollywood Parade and I will not be in attendance at the Hollywood Parade today.

Mic Drop! 

LA Pride on the WWW -

https://lapride.org/la-pride-2022/   

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Just Because...Think Pink

Think Pink
Lizzo

Just Because it's Sunday Funday, Just Because I'm in an indescribable head space & Just Because, well, ya know, think pink...that's correct Minions look it's Lizzo with pink hair!!! Woot!

Lizzo recently debuted her new hue for karaoke night at Dreux's Louisiana French Quarter in Los Angeles.

She also sports and airbrushed shirt with an image that appears to be her as per usual non-pink self. Essentially giving us two Lizzo looks simultaneously. That Lizzo, what a giver she is.

There really isn't much more to say regarding this, except Bend It Like Lizzo and remember this: The World Is Yours!!!

Lizzo on IG -

Friday, April 2, 2021

Walking The Pooch

Man's Best Friend
Jon Hamm

While I am fully aware that "Walking The Pooch" is a euphemism that  means....well look it up. In this case it is a literal thing, and for that my wandering eyes are quite grateful. Especially since it takes on the form of one Jon Hamm.

"Yes" Minions it's Jon Hamm letting his dog out for a walk in Los Angeles and what a sight to behold it is! Especially since he's doing it in shorts that show off his great legs. 

However one thing seems to have changed, does Mr. Hamm no longer freeball? Now don't tell me none of you remember the notorious "Hamm" in Jon's sweatpants photos of him going sans underwear. That sight was real and spectacular and from the looks of it he does not seem to have released the Kraken, or maybe the camera angle hides it.

Bummer!!! 

Jon on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Hamm  

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Current Mood

Moody
Lady Gaga
So even though there was a ban on fireworks in Los Angeles County yesterday, plenty of them were illegally ignited. Luckily no major fires were started and no one (that I've heard of) was injured. 

I actually just heard one go off as I am sitting here at my keyboard clacking away. Thus this brings me to my Current Mood.

This image of  Lady Gaga sums it up perfectly. My mood is indescribable and sort of on edge much like this Pippi Longstocking  meets Orphan look that Gaga is sporting.

You know Orphan as in the horror movie Orphan and if you don't know Pippi Longstocking Google that, OK?

Thus I think I will sit with this feeling and make it work. Time to 5th of July Minions!

Gaga on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/ladygaga/?hl=en 

Monday, June 1, 2020

Peace Before Police


This post was made by singer/songwriter/activist Ariel Beesley Saturday morning on her Instagram page encouraging people to come down for a peaceful protest. Here is her first hand account of the truth no one is saying regarding it...




Photos by:
@nonquidproquo
Enough.