An Interview with PASSION's Ron Rillera -Playing Music "His" Way.

Longevity in the Music industry is a very rare chance of fate as most musicians are working a day job to pay the bills while pursuing their musical talents on a part-time basis, usually for free. And rarely do you have a music collaboration that lasts more than 5 years in the major or independent music world however, Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist-Pianist Ron Rillera has been able to do all the above for more than 20 yrs with his band “PASSION” playing hotels, festivals, and casinos throughout the US.


Welcome Ron to Everything Fabulous.

Q: How long has PASSION been together and can you please describe the type of music you perform?

A: Hello Gina. Thank you for asking. PASSION has been together a long time. How’s that for an answer. We are energetic musician/entertainers performing a wide variety of popular music in a wide variety of musical genres dating as far back as the 1920’s to today’s current hits. We also do a number of our own songs. Even though we are now a four piece group instead of six, we perform our music “live” as we always have and don’t use backing tracks or computer sequencing as do most of today’s working bands. We have to work a little bit harder but it gives us more pride in craftsmanship if you know what I mean.


I had the opportunity of being a member in the band back in 1991 -1992 and at that time there were ad six members, 3 male musicians and 3 female singers, and the band was considered a show band performing covers and some originals six nights a week on the Marriott circuit.

Q: What kind of band is PASSION today?

A: PASSION is still a high energy act but much more diversified musically. By the way, if you are performing a song you didn’t personally write yourself you are “covering” it and that goes for musicians in all original bands too. There’s too much concern about that in my opinion. Music is music. Play it. Enjoy it. Write new stuff. Play old stuff. People shouldn’t be assholes or snobbish about it. It’s meant to be shared. Back to your question; because of the state of the industry and the budget constraints that go along with it, we can no longer afford to carry the “extra” personnel for the “look and show” that extra bodies contribute. We’ve pared down the group to the most talented and cohesive four members available that have that important ability to “connect” with the audience. In other words, because of budget constraints we are now able to concern ourselves only with quality of product for our buyers and not have to worry about the quantity of bodies on stage. The great thing is that the buyers understand this now. Back in the day most buyers just wanted more bodies on stage; especially female bodies. They should have just opened up strip clubs back then. That’s why there are so many “high end” strip clubs now. LOL.

Back in the Mid 90s Clubs started replacing live bands with Djs.

Q:  How did that affect your business and what changes did you do to survive and continue to make a steady living?

A:  Actually, the move to DJ’s really started coming hard and strong during and after the disco era of the late seventies. You probably saw it more in the nineties because a lot of the venues we performed at together with you at that time finally went that route. You know it all comes down to how good the product is that you as a musician/entertainer are selling and the value it is providing to your buyer. When most of the bands started becoming “canned” acts and their entertainment value started getting lower the buyers started to realize that if they were going to pay for “canned” music they might as well go all the way and buy DJ’s because the cost was more attractive than paying for and housing a whole band and the amount and variety of songs DJ’s provided was immense and easily changeable and or expandable. Any visual stimulation that the customers needed was provided by adding music videos and dancing bartenders/servers/employees. The other wonderful thing buyers discovered was that they didn’t have to deal with asshole musicians anymore. LOL.

In order for PASSION to survive and for us to make a steady living we simply looked for venues that were prioritizing their entertainment needs by hiring "live" musical acts. At first it made us have to return to our original home of Las Vegas, Nevada, for consistent work because casinos seemed to have always understood the value of "live" musical performers. Unfortunately, every working band facing unemployment in America started moving to Las Vegas as well. Fortunately for us the casino boom outside of Nevada began and more casino based performance venues started to pop up everywhere in the USA. It was good and it was bad. The old nightclub/hotel circuits were month long gigs but the casinos, though many in number were limiting gigs to one week and no more than two week stands. We had to get used to the travel and pack every week routine and fuel costs skyrocketed.

Q: Are you involved in other music projects outside of PASSION?

A: PASSION has been the constant in my musical life. After a long period of time off from songwriting and recording I’ll be doing more of that again as well as keeping my group PASSION active and working (hopefully). LOL.

Q: What is a typical day like for Ron Rillera while touring on the road?

A: Well, my typical day is probably a lot like every other normal guy’s day. Work, sleep, wake, eat, exercise, practice, play golf, eat and then perform again, all while looking for interesting and attractive women to spend quality time with. I guess you can say I pretty much do what I want to do. That’s true because I’m single not because I’m a musician. Married guys can’t do that. They’re not allowed any personal freedom unless they get permission. LOL.

Q: What is a typical day like for Ron Rillera when you are off the road?

A: My typical day when off the road is probably the same as it is on the road except there is more time for doing everything I want to do.

Q: With the intranet and sites such as MySpace, CD Baby, Reverb Nation and You Tube, Indie artists are able record and distribute their music online by themselves. How has the intranet been beneficial to PASSION and your music?

A: As for actually obtaining work via the internet; NO, not a real big winner there. You get work via word of mouth, cold calling, use of Booking Agents, etc. The Internet is a big tool that provides ACCESS. Access is the key. You have to use it the best way you can or are able or willing. The Internet allows a band to have a web site(s) for advertising or for whatever other purposes they want their web site(s) to have. As you said they are able to distribute their music online without having to get signed by a major or minor record label. The Internet allows the use of social sites, video sites, etc., and email to advertise, keep in touch with fans, find new ones, pass the word, spread the news, do business, send and receive contracts, etc. It saves money on sending out hard copy “packages” via regular mail to prospective buyers. It gives musicians another stage/platform to do their shows on and access to anyone that stumbles upon that venue for viewing, selling, buying or whatever it is they are trying to do. It’s good and it’s bad, eh? Because of technology everyone is a musician/record company now even when they aren't. The bad thing is that you have to take the time to maintain your web site, etc. Even if you are paying others to do that job you still have to check on things to be sure it’s all being done correctly. Time is the most valuable thing you have and it’s running out with each tick of the clock. Do you really want to spend so much time on maintenance?

Q: How often are you on the road vs. being home? Do you feel there is anything you missed out on by traveling for years?

A: By traveling all of these years I missed out on being divorced. LOL. My dad was a career military man so moving and traveling was normal for our family. Being a road musician and traveling only helped me to keep moving. Moss doesn't grow on a rolling stone, right? We do spend a lot of time at “home” because a lot of our gigs are no longer the six nights per week gigs that were once prevalent in the industry for working musicians. MADD mothers, technology and MTV have changed all of that.

Thank you for the questions Gina, and for allowing me to answer them freely. With all of this being said I will add that in my opinion the worst thing that happened to musicians in the music industry (long term, mind you) has been the music video and MTV. This moved the primary focus of a person’s senses, as it pertains to music, from strictly aural stimulation to a mix of visual/aural stimulation (visual being the primary) making the music and the musician less important. It’s been downhill ever since for the career working musician and even for potential future music stars. There are a lot of other things that I can add to qualify this statement and I also have other personal views, insight and facts about the regular working musicians' plight in this industry but due to time constraints (LOL) I've got to go for now. Ask me again later and I’ll tell you about it. Hey, I've got to go set up and do a sound check in a few. Our music, photos, and booking info can be found at  http://passionmusicgroup.com.

Interview with Artist Chiara Merlotti

Los Angeles is a great mecca for bringing together Artists of all types and I had the opportunity to meet Chiara Merlotti through teaching Music and Art to her daughter. Recently Chiara was part of the Vast Art Fair and had invited me to her studio where she displays her latest Work, "Sticks and Stones". I was so intrigued with her Artistic approach to the famous children's nursery rhyme that I wanted to find out more about her and her life as an artist. Enjoy the interview below.





Q. At what age did you discover your talent for art and what was the first piece of artwork you created?

A. I knew I wanted to do something creative as early as elementary school. I won an honorable mention in a city wide drawing competition, but I don’t remember the drawing at all.

Q. Was there anyone else in your family that had artistic talent too?
A. My paternal grandmother was a seamstress. My maternal grandfather made jewelry. I’d like to think I inherited something from each of them.

Q. You were born and raised in Milan Italy. That is known for its Artistic History and Culture. What was it like growing up there, and what made you want to study and live in the US? 
A.Milan is vibrannt, intellectually engaged, and culturally rich. Unfortunately, the professional opportunities for a young person in my field were limited. I chose to come to the United States to study because I knew I would have a better chance at a career in the arts here.


Q. What is the process of your creativity? And does it ever change based on the medium you are creating?
A. I usually begin with an idea or concept, but I don’t know where that idea or concept will take me. My approach to painting is very process oriented. Every choice informs the next. Different media offer more or less control, but on the whole, the process tends to be the same.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration from?
A. I look at other artists a lot. I am inspired by the human body and by nature. Sometimes I can even get ideas from flipping through the pages of the New York Times.

Q. What is your favorite medium?
A. I love to draw. Graphite and charcoal are definitely my favorite media.

Q. Who is/are your favorite artist/s?
A. My favorite painters are Edvard Munch, Paul Klee, and Richard Diebenkorn. I admire photographers like Sally Mann, and Eugene Smith. I also love the work of young artists like Lisa Kokin, Josephine Taylor, Loretta Lux, and Darren Waterston.

Q. Your current work is titled “Sticks and Stones” (I would like to insert a pic) Can you please share with the audience the creative process and where did you get the inspiration to create this particular work?
A. The series is based on the nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” It is a series of abstract compositions with bones, branches, twigs, rocks, and pebbles. In each painting, these elements interact. The paintings are acrylic, charcoal, and collage on paper.

Q. Musicians can write a different song daily, designers have to come up with a different line every 3-6 months. How often does an artist change their work? Is it completely different from the previous one?

A. There is no rule about when or how often an artist’s work needs to change. An artist like Giorgio Morandi, for instance, painted the same still life objects his entire life.

Q. What kind of medium do you see yourself doing next?
A. I am curious about encaustic. I’d also like to try casine (milk based) paint.

Q. Where can the audience see your works and purchase them?
A. My work can be seen at www.chiaramerlotti.com. I can be contacted through the site.

Q. Can you name a teacher or subject that aided in the inspiration of becoming the artist that you are today?
A. Over the years, I’ve had many wonderful and inspirational teachers. I owe them all a huge debt of gratitude.

Q. Kids today have access to art classes as early as 18 months what are your feelings about that?
A. I think that kind of exposure is great, as long as young kids are allowed to express their creativity freely. I am profoundly opposed to teaching a toddler that there is a “right” way to draw or paint.

Q. What kind of advice would you give to someone who is just starting out as an artist?
A. If you’re passionate about art, seek the best education you can afford. Don’t let others derail your dreams.

Hey Valet Live at Talking Stick.flv

SHARON'S LOVE IT LIST EPISODE#3.mov

"Dance With Me" A feel good workout with Billy Blanks Jr. and Sharon Catherine Blanks.

"Dance With Me" A feel good workout with Billy Blanks Jr. and Sharon Catherine Blanks.

Trying to stay fit is something that I have strived for throughout my life. I was very athletic in my youth and early twenties but as I got older gravity started to take over and I started to gain so many pounds per year. I’ve had a gym membership since 1992 but over the years, developed a love/hate relationship with it after attending classes for a few weeks, and would stop out of boredom. I even tried Bikram Yoga for a year only to pull muscles that I didn’t realize I had. And summers were spent doing exercises in my pool or walking around the park however, I was not seeing that big of a change to my body. I was convinced that I would just be pleasantly plump the rest of my life and it wasn’t until I had seen a picture of myself from a baby shower I hosted for a friend, that I had to make some drastic changes. I had put on about 40 extra lbs over the years and although it didn’t slow me down physically, I looked like I was expecting and even asked on several occasions if I was pregnant. The very next day after I saw the pictures I went back to the gym and focused on the cardio machines but needed to kick it up a notch. I decided to try out another TKB (Turbo Kickboxing class) only to be reminded that at my age the knees, back and ankles make you pay for the consequences afterwards. While checking the schedule of classes, I came across a class called “Dance With Me” so I decided to give a try.

When I arrived to the class there were a bunch of people already in the room waiting for class to start and I found a spot in the very back of the room. Billy Blanks Jr. and his wife Sharon Catherine Blanks entered the room and said hello to the group then asked if there was anyone new to the class. About 10 other people and I held up our hands and the group gave us all a very supportive welcome. After a short introduction about the class by the duo, Sharon then started to talk about breath control and how important it was to help build stamina. We also did breathing exercises before the actual work out began. Being a trained singer, I knew the importance of breathing correctly but it was never brought up in any of the other workout classes or dance classes I had taken over the previous years.After we attempted to count to 60 on one breath, the warm-up began with “I’ve got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas playing in the background. The warm-up included moves like Chasses’ to the left and right, triple steps, walking from side to side and jumping up in the air, body rolls, and other movements that helped wake up the body. Another upbeat song followed while the group stretched and then the ‘Party Like It’s Friday Night’ began.


Billy asked the group to form a square and as he announced each side, everyone cheered and took a turn doing a variety of moves demonstrated by Billy. While Billy was leading the group with his free-style moves, Sharon would pump up the crowd with fun bantering and assisted with the competitive moves. While this continued, dancers were selected from the group to come to the center of the square and dance. If you are a little shy it’s ok, you have up to three opportunities to back out but rarely does that happen. The one thing that I noticed during class was that everyone was having a good time and unlike other classes I had taken before; there were actual smiles on the group’s faces. After the free-style activity ended we were then asked to go back to the floor where Sharon Blanks brought our heart rates up another level leading us with variety of high cardio moves such as running into place, double punched knees, jumping jacks, etc, and continuing to remind the group to “Breath”! After the cardio burst ended, the group was then taught a variety of dances by Billy Blanks Jr. These dances vary from class to class including: Salsa (Mambo, Volte, Samba, Shimmy Shake, and the Latin Lover), Flamenco (Planta, Tacone, and the Gulpe step), Country, Modern, Ballet, African, Tap, Bollywood, just to name a few and we even learned the actual choreography to “All That Jazz” from Chicago, a Janet Jackson video and Paula Abdul’s video “Opposites Attract”. Many people in the class ranged from children to adults over 60 and were NOT trained dancers however, with Billy’s amazing teaching style and experience as a choreographer, the group was able to easily pick up the dance steps and follow along. About 10 to 15 minutes before the one hour class ended there was another cardio burst, followed by another salsa style dance and cool down where Sharon Catherine Blanks whose amazing voice has been heard from NYC to Los Angeles sang her original song “You Are Enough”. All the stress that had built up inside of me lifted up off my shoulders and I even got goose bumps while the group cheered and clapped at the very end. It’s now been about seven months since my first “Dance with me Class” however my enthusiasm has not changed a bit and I am not only attending 3-4 classes a week but have also participated in 2 different 4 –hour workouts hosted by the Blanks. Because you are able to burn 800-1000 calories in just one hour class, my body has shrunk down 2 sizes and I have lost about 20 lbs. Billy and Sharon Catherine Blanks have designed a feel good workout that not only helps you lose weight but helps you get into the best shape you can be. Per Sharon: We have to tell our bodies what we want it to do and we are working out hard not for just that special occasion or to fit into that bikini in the summer time, but FOR Life.

This isn’t the first time The Blanks http://www.meettheblanks.com have had notoriety for their mega talents, Billy who was raised in entertainment and fitness environment and often led and taught fitness classes on behalf of his father (Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks) as early as the age of 12. He starred as “Tyrone Jackson” in the US tour, FAME and untrained dancer he earned roles in music videos with Madonna, Crystal Method, Quincy Jones, Babyface, and Paula Abdul. Billy’s first program Cardioke created a worldwide media frenzy after an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and since then Billy has been featured on ABC, NBC, CNN, MTV, VH1, Fox, Endemol UK, Entertainment Tonight, E!, People Magazine, Shape, Style Network, AOL, Yahoo, and Ruby. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byGk5_HhnBo

Sharon Catherine Blanks, the daughter of comedic actor, Johnny Brown, aka Mr. Bookman on the series “Good Times” has been an many productions such as the “Seasons of Love” anthem in the West Coast Premiere of “Rent” and was handpicked by Frank Wildhorn as the first and only African American woman to play “Lucy” in his Broadway tour of “Jekyll and Hyde”. In addition to stage productions, Sharon played the role of “Etta Jones” in HBO’s “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” starring Halle Berry and is best known on television for playing the snooty opera diva on “A Different World”. On Broadway Sharon starred as “Effie” in “Dreamgirls” and “The Narrator” in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, the drug addicted Sara in “The Playground”, Bogus Moran in “One City” and the title role of “Tymothy” a rock musical written by her and Billy.

As a dancer Sharon has worked with such legends as Michael Peters, Jerry Mitchell, Debbie Allen, and Michael Bennet. And was a singer for various projects by Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. Her Other film and TV credits include; Sister Act II, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and American Dreams.

Being hailed as The fitness industry’s only power duo, Billy and his wife Sharon have taught together since the year 2000 and due to the excitement and high demand for their newest workout Billy Blanks Jr.’s “Dance With Me” they are in the process creating their official certification program so that people across the US can experience what everyone is talking about. And are in partnership with Lionsgate and are proud to be Exercise TV’s first official DVD for nationwide retail release towards the end of 2010. Also Stay tuned for the release of their most anticipated work out DVD’s BILLY BLANKS JR.’s “DANCE WITH ME- CARDIO FIT” and “DANCE WITH ME- GROOVE & BURN”. Billy and Sharon are also in the process of launching their two TV shows “Meet The Blanks” a lifestyle reality show and their own original show “America’s Fit Party. Even with all of this on their plate, their greatest gift of all is being wonderful parents to adorable son Elijah and proud aunt and uncle to nephew Levi Brown and Rocco and Titus Cimarosti. Here is an example of what you will see in class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5w2hr661Gw&feature=related and If you would like to take a “Dance With Me Class” here in the Los Angeles area, you can check out their schedule at http://www.meettheblanks.com or for a schedule of classes at 24 hour fitness, go to http://www.24hourfitness.com. Here is an example of what you will see

References: Professional Photos of Billy Blanks Jr. and Sharon Catherine Blanks taken by Candace Colbert.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5w2hr661Gw&feature=related Video filmed and Edited by Heather Tucci Flores


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byGk5_HhnBo from http://www.exercise.tv

Gina Venturini Designs worn to the Tony Awards, Darci Monet, Angels Over Nashville Event.

I was given the opportunity to design a necklace and earrings for my friend Singer/Songwriter Darci Monet. She attended the Tony Awards to support her long time friend and Co-writer Levi Kreis who was nominated and won a Tony for his portrayal of Jerry Lee Lewis in the Broadway show, “Million Dollar Quartet”. Darci had worn a full length black dress designed by Alex Evenings that she purchased at the Abundance Boutique in Sherman Oaks. http://www.abundanceplussizes.com It was accented around the waist and top part of the dress with black pear and oval-shaped beads so I searched for black agate beads in the same shapes that were on the dress and accented them with Peridot crystals and Peridot crystal disc shaped beads. I also designed a matching pair of earrings.




I’m very honored to have had this opportunity to design for Darci and a big event and since as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Darci Monet http://www.darcimonet.com is a very talented classically and commercially trained singer and award winning songwriter who’s voice has been compared to a Kelly Clarkson, Eva Cassidy and Ann Wilson sandwich with a side of Aretha Franklin. Her first professional performance was at the age eleven in a local production of Annie in Upstate NY, and then she began her professional career while attending Belmont University in Nashville as a studio singer and performing and recording with major label artists such as Dolly Parton, Steve Winwood, Amy Grant, The Judds, etc. Now living in the Los Angeles area she continues to make her mark on the music world with principle performances in film and television and writing songs that have also been featured in indie movies and major network television shows. And If that isn’t enough she also runs her own vocal studio training and mentoring upcoming singers, Blogs for the American Idol season, sings backing vocals for Debby Holiday, and just recently wrapped up a two-year residence as head judge for “Fame,” a weekly singing competition held at Oil Can Harry’s in Studio City, CA.

Although Darci no longer lives in Nashville she hasn’t forgotten what living there did for her career and all of the friends she made, so in light of the recent tragic flood that hit Nashville a couple of months ago, Darci Monet will be hosting “Angels Over Nashville”, a benefit concert and raffle to help raise funds for Music Cares http://www.musiccares.org and the Scoggins family who had about $40,000 worth of damage to their home and don’t qualify for Fema assistance. Darci went to college with Chance Scoggins who is also a musician and he and his wife Jennifer have two little girls. The outdoor concert will be held on Saturday, June 26th at the Riverton Bowl, 5613-5615 Riverton Avenue, North Hollywood CA at 6pm. And will be via webcast starting at 7pm PCT, 9pm Central and 10pm Eastern. There is a suggested $15 donation however all donations will be accepted. Food and beverages are not provided by the venue so be sure to pack a picnic and bring your favorite beverages. Alcohol is also allowed.

The Music Artists that will be performing for the benefit concert are: Darci Monet, http://www.darcimonet.com, Melissa Collins http://www.melissacollins.org, Hitplay (Jo Jo Ho and Seany P) http://www.reverbnation.com/hitplay, Illusionary http://www.illusionaryonline.com , Kelly’s Lot http://www.kellyslot.com , and Marie Pettit http://www.mariepettit.com Raffle donations include: Jewelry by Gina Venturini Designs http://www.ginaventurinidesigns.com , makeup session and mini-tutorial with Aristotle Rector, photo session with Terri Johnson of TripleFire Photography, photo session with Tami Bahat http://www.tamibahatphotography.com, original artwork by Lori Kreis Bowen, original artwork by Gene-Manuel http://www.gene-manual.com, autographed CDs from 2010 Tony winner Levi Kreis, http://www.levikreis.com, free voice lessons at Darci Monet Vocal Style Studio http://www.darcimonet.com , gift certificate to Annie's Scandal Boutique, free tickets to a comedy show at L.A. Connection, Kelly’s lot sponsor Widmer Brewery will also be donating beer for the event http://www.widmer.com, and for you Twilight fans, autographed photos from BooBoo Stewart with more donations each day.

LACMA, Scott Martin Latin Soul Band, Lauren Adams Trio, Malibu Family Wines.

I've lived in Southern California for 20 yrs now and in the San Fernando Valley for 10 yrs and realized that there is so much culture in the Los Angeles metro area that I have not taken advantage of yet. A friend suggested I check out LACMA http://www.lacma.org the largest museum in the Western United States housing 100,000 pieces of art dating from ancient times to present displayed between 7 buildings on 20,000 acres in the heart of Los Angeles. In addition to LACMA's Vast collection, exhibitions, public programs and research, they also offer in the summer months free music entertainment open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings. So I called my friend Katie to join me and we put together a picnic of grapes, hummus, pita chips, rainier cherries, and a bottle of Trinity Oaks Pinot Noir and with blanket headed to the museum. Just driving down the 101, by the Hollywood Bowl where the Playboy Jazz festival was taking place and down Wilshire Avenue we encountered many photo opportunities and took in some of the amazing architecture that surrounds the LA area. We finally reached our destination, Valet the car and right out front of LACMA was this enormous display of street lamps in a maze formation and a large black cat that was made out of a spongy tar substance. We had originally came for the music entertainment but the attendant also gave us free tickets to go inside the museum and with a few minutes to spare before the music started, we took the escalator up to the 3rd floor to check it out. As we reached the 3rd floor, and walked inside, to the right were these enormous pieces of metal work by Jeff Koons, A candy apple red cracked egg and this bright blue balloon dog. (The pic to the right shows the same piece that Artist Jeff Koons had previously made for the Seagram Building in NYC but in a different color).

 In addition we saw collections by Andy Warhol and Joseph Buyes, an European artist who challenged art domination in the 1950s and 1960s with his art on recent German history. We then headed back down the elevator and walked a few hundred feet to Hancock Park where Scott Martin's Latin Soul band was playing. Scott Martin, http://www.scottmartinjazz.com saxophonist and vocalist who toured and was a big influence in the Grammy nominated Poncho Sanchez band, has put together a group of very talented musicians to create a musical hybrid of Latin, Soul and Jazz. In addition to the LACMA performance, the band has also toured many festivals in Japan, Canada, Hawaii, and the US. Juliana Munoz the former lead singer of LA salsa band Son Mayor, joined the band for a set with her rendition of a couple of Celia Cruz songs. The atmosphere was electric and funky and there were people of all ages, and from different walks of life and even their four-legged furry friends enjoying the music and dancing on the pavement and grass. If you didn't have time to put together your own picnic, there was tacos at 2 for $5 including pork, chicken, and carne asada and they also had a bar that offered beer, wine, and hard liquor. The music went from 5-7 pm and on our way out, we got to see the terrace area with Greek statues and a planter that housed the beginnings of blue potato and cow horn in it which we will be coming back to see the progress of their growth. LACMA who survives solely on donations can offer a family a full day of entertainment. For info on upcoming events or how to donate please visit http://www.lacma.org/.

On our drive home from the LACMA event we drove by the Petersen automobile museum and other venues of entertainment and Katie and I decided we were going to find the time and resources to visit these places. So this Saturday, June 19th we will be attending a music performance by the Lauren Adams Trio http://www.laurenadams.com/ at the Malibu Winery starting at 6:30 pm. http://www.malibufamilywines.com/

If you live near the area come out and join us. Taste wine from the Winery, you can bring your own picnic or purchased food there. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and listen to some wonderful music while watching the sun set over the ocean.



References: Malibu photo: http://smap.jpl.nasa.gov/news/
Street Lamp and building photo: http://www.lacma.org

Jeff Koons blue balloon dog: http://www.artknowledgenews.com/files/JeffKoonsBalloon

Photo of Lauren Adams: http://www.laurenadams.com



Photo of Malibu Family Wines Logo: http://www.malibufamilywines.com



Other websites for Scott Martin Soul band: http://www.LatinSoulJazz.com, http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/scottmartin5