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.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
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 -
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 -
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.”
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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.
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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
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 -
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 -
Sunday, July 11, 2021
Just Because...Think Pink
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 -
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Current Mood
Moody Lady Gaga |
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
Saturday, May 9, 2020
California Dream
Tom Sless |
Monday, April 27, 2020
Surfin' Bird!
Surfin' Butler! Gerard Butler |
You've heard of the Surfin' Bird, now there is the Surfin' Butler, Gerard Butler that is. In the midst of a Los Angeles heat wave Gerard was caught surf board handed heading to the ocean in Malibu.
Funny my understanding was the beaches had been shuttered and no bueno with regard to inhabiting them, but I'm guessing if you are a resident???
Moving on, Gerard is looking good in his quarantine scruff and unkempt hair, and then there's the matter of his wet suit, it seems to me Gerard's not so little friend would like to say "Hello" and Happy Monday!
Indeed...
Gerard on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/gerardbutler/?hl=en
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Happy Easter Lockdown
It's All An Illusion... Michael Shinafelt |
This is my current Easter Mood, black & white, with the beautiful Los Angeles skyline in the background and a mysterious bunny, that is symbolizing who knows what?
While times are uncertain, there is still beauty in the world and this captures all of that and more, depending on what you take from it.
Honestly I felt like Frank the bunny from Donnie Darko when this was shot. However I don't believe the world is that bleak, I always choose the ray of light over the darkness. That doesn't mean I don't have my moments, I am realistic, but my will and belief in the good of others is strong.
Wishing you and yours the best.
Happy Easter from Michael Bunny!
Hop to it with me here -
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt
Friday, April 3, 2020
Film Buff Friday: Elvira Mistress Of The Dark
Bonus Materials
- Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of original film elements
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
- Original uncompressed stereo 2.0 audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Introduction to the film by director James Signorelli
- 2017 Audio Commentary with director James Signorelli, hosted by Fangoria editor emeritus Tony Timpone
- 2017 Audio Commentary with Patterson Lundquist, www.elviramistressofthedark.com webmaster and judge of US TV show The Search for the Next Elvira
- Archival Audio Commentary with actors Cassandra Peterson, Edie McClurg and writer John Paragon
- Too Macabre – The Making of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark – newly-revised 2018 version of this feature-length documentary on the making of the film, including interviews with various cast and crew and rare never-before-seen archival material
- Recipe for Terror: The Creation of the Pot Monster – newly-revised 2018 version of this featurette on the concept and design of the pot monster, as well as the film’s other SFX
- Original storyboards
- Extensive image galleries
- Original US theatrical and teaser trailers
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing by Kat Ellinger and Patterson Lundquist
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Hump Day & Chill
Michael Fairman |
Monday, March 30, 2020
Getting To Know: Shannon Hemmings
Shannon Hemmings |
MS: So spill who do you play in Family Affair?
SH: Well, I play Charlie. I can't say too much about my character. She's there, she's a happy face, a caring character. Let's just say she was really fun to play.
MS: Nice. How do you know Robert?
SH: I moved to Los Angeles only six months ago...
Shannon On The Set Of "Nashville" |
SH: Atlanta, GA. About two weeks in I was submitting myself for things. I didn't expect anything because they say when you come out here it's hard, it's competitive. So I saw this character and I loved her and I thought "why not" I might as well audition. I was submitted and I was taped, I got the job. I got a little E-Mail, I was like "No Way!" I already booked my first job in LA!
MS: Awesome!
SH: When I went to the table read and got to know who these people were for the first time, it was like "This is really cool." I felt so welcomed in, so excited! It really is who you know and the connections you make, it's a really beautiful thing.
MS: Congratulations! Sometimes it takes forever.
SH: Yeah, thanks! I came here so grounded thinking it would take a whole year to build up my resume, get a manager, what's happened now is mind blowing!
MS: Fantastic! There are so many pitfalls and it's easy to get discouraged.
SH: There were those times where I wondered if it was time to go back home. I wasn't sure if I could do this (laughs) There were time when I felt really alone, it's hard to find community in a brand new place. I'm glad I've stayed strong because everything is really coming together now.
MS: Nice to meet you.
SH: You too! Are you on Instagram?
MS: Yes.
SH: Let's follow each other.
Family Affair on the WWW -
https://familyaffairfilm.weebly.com/
Shannon on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/shanhem1/?hl=en