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Scottish for the day at the Highland Games

There is nothing like bagpipes and drums to suddenly reactivate the DNA hidden deep in our bones. Even if you’re not Scottish, or not sure, the annual Ventura Seaside Highland Games is a great cultural celebration. The pipes and drums, the tartans, the scent of fish and chips, all under swaying palm trees and blue skies at the Ventura seaside. 5 Factoids: 1) Ladies must be mindful to wear your tartan sash pinned to the right shoulder. Only female chiefs, wives of chiefs or wives of Colonels of the Highland Regiment are given the honor of pinning to the left shoulder. 2) Threadcount indicates the number of stripes of the warp and weft in sequence and the number of threads in each stripe. This is the “DNA” of a tartan. 3) Tartans, with their threadcount specified, need to be registered to the Tartan Registry in Scotland to be “official.” 4) Although we associate the tartan with Scotland, earlier examples have been found in western China from 3,000 years ago, in Austria from around 1200 BC, and the oldest Scottish one in Falkirk, Scotland is from 3rd century BC. 5) You don’t have to be from Scotland, or even a terrier to be “Scottish” for the day. Seaside Highland Games, Oct. 12 & 13 in Ventura. https://seaside-games.com/

A lovely lassie at the Ventura Seaside Highland Games, Ventura, CA
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Wine, Piano and Couch

You think Gen Z’s are the only ones who like to sit on couches and be entertained? We older, wiser Gens like to sit on couches too – and we are quite demanding about the content! Yes, we want our content alive and kicking right in front of us! Not just any content either – we want professional, classically trained musicians and well-tuned instruments. We also want our wine, our friends, maybe something sinful to eat and we want dogs, yes, we want big dogs wagging their tails and begging for our attention while we watch professional musicians play! If this is also your idea of fun, you’ve got to attend a Groupmuse chamber concert. They are in neighborhoods throughout the Southland, and they are hosted by people like you and me – “just folks.” Groupmuse’s tagline is “Chamber music house concerts with your friends.” Groupmuse started in Boston in 2013 by professional chamber musicians gathering for informal performances for friends. It has now grown to several cities throughout the US and we have a thriving scene here in SoCal, with Ventura County now on the Groupmuse map!  The musicians are from the US and abroad. The talent is truly exceptional.  Check out Groupmuse here: https://www.groupmuse.com/about LA and Ventura County people – there are 2 performances coming up in Camarillo with Spindlewood Chamber Music Society on October 19 (pianist Cem Oslu) and November 17 (the fabulous pianist Ian Scarfe). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0wmdZ_vUL4&list=UU4FNvFDFkTJKyEvaQV2j3VQ&index=4

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RED LEAF HUNTING TIME!

October in SoCal is a confusing time. The day time  temperatures reach the  80’s, yet the evenings and mornings starting to demand the blankets to be pulled out and we put on our sweaters and sweatshirts. We do have a change of seasons, but it’s more a state of mind.
In Japanese culture, this time of year is called “Momijigari” or red leaf hunting season.  The custom started back in the Heian Period (794-1195) and it celebrated the maple leaf turning the beautiful red during the autumnal season. The red leaf  color and shape was included in art, clothing and even food. Usually around this time of year,  gardens host Japanese themed days where Taiko Drummers perform and “ikebana” (flower arranging) demonstrations are held. 
Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge will be hosting two days of celebration on October 12 and 13. Descanso has a long association with Japanese culture. The Japanese Garden opened in 1966, and one of the key people involved was Frank Kuwahara, the general manager of the Southern California Flower Market. The garden was designed by Eijiro Nunokawa and the teahouse was designed by Whitney R. Smith. Over the years, additions have been made: a bridge, teahouse and courtyard complex.  Today, it is a relaxing place where you can enjoy the Koi fish. Descanso is a wonderful place to celebrate Momijigari. 

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Neutra – 7 Things You Didn’t Know

The Glendale Historical Society “Icons Of Architecture” home tour is September 29. One of the featured homes was designed by Richard Neutra (1892-1970). Neutra is known for his Modern or Desert Modern architecture. When you think of sliding glass doors, well, think of Neutra. Neutra came to the US from Austria in 1923 and when you trace his story, you see how nature and the indoors/outdoors idea shaped his style. Here are 7 fun Neutra facts.

  • There is a typeface named for him: “Neutraface” designed by Christian Schwartz.
  • He admired Frank Lloyd Wright, and named his first son after him.
  • He designed and supervised the first documented steel-framed house in America: Lovell House (1931).
  • He was the first major architect to design a gas station: Norwalk Service Station in Bakersfield (1947).
  • Neutra designed homes in some SoCal cities which might surprise: Camarillo, Bell, Bakersfield, Altadena, Northridge.
  • He was once commissioned to design an all aluminum bus by the ALCOA company and White Motors Company of Cleveland. Nothing was produced.
  • His homes have had a wide variety of owners, including philosopher Ayn Rand who lived in Von Sternberg House, a Neutra built in Northridge.
  • Icons of Architecture on September 29, tickets here: https://glendalehistorical.org/2019-home-tour
  • For more info on Neutra, go here: https://neutra.org/
Icons of Architecture Tour
TGHS Icons of Architecture 2019


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GEISHA

The SuihoEn Japanese Garden is a piece of Japan in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, the expansive 6.5 acre garden is ranked # 10 out of 300 public Japanese gardens in North America. It was designed by foremost Japanese garden expert Dr. Koichi Kawana. The Japan Foundation Los Angeles hosted a Geisha exhibition at SuihoEn featuring three talented young women: a “Maiko” or apprentice, two “Geisha,” and expert Peter MacIntosh. In Kyoto, the hub of Geisha culture, the word “Geiko” is utilized rather than “Geisha.” Geisha are trained in the traditional art of music and dance, and to be charming and entertaining. Both SuihoEn Japanese Garden and the Japan Foundation Los Angeles host events regularly, ranging from origami classes, to tea ceremonies, to manga. Both bring the brilliant culture of Japan to just a short drive away. Check out this documentary on Geisha by Peter MacIntosh. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmH4mcTb6JE

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OPA!

OPA!
The Greeks love to party.  Community Greek festivals are generally held at the local Greek Orthodox Church.  But unlike other church festivals, the Greeks are just  getting started at noon and keep it going into the night. The young adult men and women start arriving when the sun is going down, dressed to impress. Greek music, dancing and food make it worthwhile, especially the home made Greek cookies: kourabiedes (walnut sugar cookies), melomakarona (spicecake & honey cookies), jam filled pasta floras and many varieties of baklava. Where does the word “Baklava” come from? Originally from the Mongol word “Bayla” meaning to tie-up. Who are some Greeks in our popular culture?   Tommy Lee, Jennifer Aniston, John Stamos, Rita Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Anthony Kiedis, Ariana Huffington and Betty White.  Betty White? Yep, her mother’s maiden name was Cachikis. What does “Opa! “mean?   “Opa” is one of those emotional expressions –  “oops” mixed with “yes, I dropped it and it broke in a million pieces but I am having so much fun I don’t care!”  Opa! What California city has the highest percentage of people with Greek ancestry?  Long Beach. Which city in the US has the highest percentage of people with Greek ancestry?  Tarpon Springs, Florida. Why? Sponge diving is an important industry there.  By 1905 a man named John Cocoris actively recruited Greeks to join the sponge diving industry there as divers and crew members. It is now a multimillion dollar industry there.

September 20-22

Pasadena Greek Fest  – Pasadena

St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church.  778 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena 91107

$4 admission. Fri 5-10pm, Sat 12noon – 10 pm, Sun 12 noon – 10pm

Great food, dancing, music, vendors. Opa!

http://pasadenagreekfest.org/
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Happy Birthday, Ingrid Bergman

August 29th is Ingrid Bergman’s birthday. In honor of this day, can you imagine her in Burbank and Van Nuys? “Casablanca” was filmed in those two locations: Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank (the principal location), and one sequence was filmed at good old Van Nuys Airport. Van Nuys airport has been re-configured since then. The old runway and hangars are no longer there. The film started production in May of 1942. Picture Ingrid Bergman hanging out in the Valley! http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/2011/10/ingrid-bergman-and-humphrey-bogart-with.html Here’s a great piece from the CBC in Canada with some interesting side bits on Bergman and this great film. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/casablanca-at-75-fascinating-facts-about-one-of-the-most-famous-films-of-all-time-1.4413515

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DON’T BE A JERK – EAT SOME JERK

Labor Day is coming up, why not celebrate Jerk culture? Did you know: the word “Jerk” comes from the word “Charqui” – a word used in the Andes culture for dried meat. That term morphed to our word for dried meat: “jerky.” The biggest Caribbean population outside of the Caribbean is in the US (#2 Canada, #3 Spain, and #4 UK). Jerk spice usually contains chiles, thyme, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and garlic. It is a rub and can be a marinade or sauce. If scotch bonnet peppers are used – it is hot! Scotch bonnet peppers are Caribbean red chili peppers. At 350,000 Scoville Heat Units, they are hotter than the habanero (260,000 Scoville heat units). The more colorful word “jerk” came into our language in the 1880’s via steam locomotive slang for taking boiler water from a creek or “jerkwater.” It then got picked up in the carnival circuit and shortened to one of our favorite insults: “JERK!” Come on down to the UCLA Jerk Fest  –  Aug 31 & Sept 1 for some great music, food and culture.   http://www.jerkfoodfest.com

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SALSA – Make that a Party of Two

“Salsa” – it’s the chunky, spicy sauce that makes chips disappear out of the basket. It is also a dance that serves as the perfect way to work off those chips. So what is Salsa dancing? Here are a few quick things to know: Salsa, Spanish for “sauce,” takes the name of the dance from music and rhythms originating in Africa and Spain. It germinated in Cuba and Puerto Rico, and as soldiers, tourists, and jazz musicians visited and returned home to the US, they brought the dance with them. Later in the 1970’s, it hit the perfect beat with the disco era. Did you know there are at least 7 styles of Salsa? Best known are “NY style” (also known as “Mambo”) which hits the beat on 2 and 6. “LA Salsa” hits the beat on 1 and 5. There is also Casino /Salsa Cubano, Miami style, Colombian style, Rueda de Casino and Ballroom. Can you dance alone? Well, it is a partner dance and who doesn’t want to be spun around? Is it easy? All I can say is that it is fun, the dancers who know what they are doing are happy to show you the ropes, and I guarantee you will work off the chips and salsa after one dance! The Autry Museum has their Sizzling Summer Nights on Thursday nights through August 22 with live bands. Orquesta Son Mayor on Aug. 15, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca on Aug. 22.

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Skatepunks, Lowriders and Neon – Oh My!

What a great weekend Aug 10 and 11. From the beach in Venice to the Ventura coast, we can experience counterculture that made it to the mainstream. Venice goes back to Vans’ seminal skatepunk days of the late 70’s, Oxnard shows off their best in Lowriders. The neon beauties from the 40’s-60’s that dot the city will be shown off during the Glendale Neon Tour. Japanese culture will be celebrated across Little Tokyo during the Nisei Festival. For those who prefer plants over people – Westwood hosts Plantasia. See all details and more great things to do in the Events section.

Michael Flechtner, neon artist. USPS stamp from 2011