Author Nancy Paris' Delightful Lilly Nilly Character Is Back With the Perfect Adventures for the Summer Season
Author Nancy Paris is back with another delightful tale of her now-seven-year-old mischievous character, Lilly Nilly. Readers were first introduced to her in 2021 with Pardon My French — It's the Language of Ballet: The Adventures of Lilly Nilly. The dance student gave kids and adults a hilarious look at her journey into the world of ballet through very relatable studio moments.
Read full story'World of Barbie Tour' Captivates With an Immersive — and Very Pink — Experience
If Barbie mania hasn't reached your household yet, then this Santa Monica immersive experience might just change your mind. The World of Barbie Tour is open and ready for you to explore its two-story, life-size Barbie world. It's not just a promotion for the Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling-led film, it looks back at the history of the Mattel doll that became a household name in 1959.
Read full story'Dancing To Disney' Brings the Delightful Magic of The Movies to Life
If you can't wait for Dancing With the Stars to begin this fall, then here's a great show that is doing a quick run in Yorba Linda and Santa Monica, California over the next two weeks — it's called Dancing to Disney. The 60-minute show, which just finished a run in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Roosevelt, is the perfect way to get transported into the magic of Disney music.
Read full story'Everybody Dance' Documentary Hopes to Inspire Dance Educators to Make the Arts More Inclusive
A scene from 'Everybody Dance.'Photo courtesy of Dan Watt. The idea that dance is for everybody and every body is one that is often echoed through the arts, but not every dance educator follows through with that mission unless you're Bonnie Schlachte. She's the founder and director of Ballet For All Kids in Agoura Hills, California, the first ballet studio that offers classical ballet education to children of all abilities.
Read full storyDestiny Wimpye Soars to New Heights at Pacific Northwest Ballet
Destiny WimpyePhoto: Dan Lao. The last time we caught up with Destiny Wimpye, she was enjoying her time as a student at Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) in their Professional Division. At the time, COVID protocols required her and her fellow dancers to practice in pods of five — or sometimes dance in their apartments via Zoom. Fast forward to a year and a half later and the now-19-year-old dancer is officially an apprentice with the Pacific Northwest Ballet for the 2022-2023 season. With the excitement of a big future ahead in the world of dance, Wimpye reflected on what she learned during that difficult time during the pandemic.
Read full storyJoy Womack & Adrian Blake Mitchell Give Back to Westside Ballet After Leaving Russia Amid War in Ukraine
Joy Womack and Adrian Blake Mitchell rehearse in the Westside Ballet studios.Todd Lechtick. Dancers Joy Womack and Adrian Blake Mitchell are coming home to Westside Ballet, having trained at the famed Santa Monica, California school years ago, but their path back to the United States is an unexpected one. Both artists found themselves having to leave their homes in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Womack left behind her job at Astrakhan Opéra and Ballet while Mitchell departed from his job at Mikhailovsky Ballet Company in St. Petersburg. The move leaves them both with heavy hearts as they loved the rich arts community of Russia, but they condemn the wartime actions of the country's leader.
Read full storyThe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Found a Special Way to Make Oscars Night Inclusive to Movie Fans
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.Kristyn Burtt. Hollywood saw a return to glamour on Oscars night on Sunday as the entertainment industry tiptoed out of the pandemic with festivities to honor their big night. One inaugural event not only showcased the awards ceremony, but also the architecture of one of Los Angeles’ newest gems: the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Read full storyAuthor Nancy Paris Dances Her Way Into 'The Adventures of Lilly Nilly'
Lilly Nilly at the barre.Courtesy of Nancy Paris. Author Nancy Paris not only can tell a tale through words, but she also has the talent to do so through movement. So she's combining the best of both worlds and telling the tale of six-year-old Lilly Nilly, a "spunky and precocious" dance student who is trying to figure it all out — ballet and the real world. As a professional dancer and educator, Paris is using her performing arts experience to give a voice to Lilly Nilly that's empowering and humorous all at once — and it's not just for kids, the adults will love her sharp wit. Pardon My French – It’s the Language of Ballet utilizes gorgeous illustrations and a fresh kid perspective for anyone who loves the language of dance.
Read full storyDaniella Zhou Returns to Westside Ballet to Dazzle as the Sugar Plum Fairy in 'The Nutcracker'
Daniella Zhou.Courtesy of Westside Ballet. After a year away from the stage, Westside Ballet is thrilled to be returning to The Broad Stage at Santa Monica College for its beloved production of The Nutcracker. The ongoing pandemic has presented many challenges to the arts communities, but with a new understanding of how to keep the cast and crew safe, the dancers are ready to bring the magic back this holiday season.
Read full storyHaunt O'Ween LA 2022 Promises a Fun, Spooky Experience for the Entire Family This Halloween Season
HauntO'ween entrance.Kristyn Burtt/News Break. The Halloween season is ramping up in the San Fernando Valley with Haunt O'Ween LA 2022, an immersive Halloween experience for the entire family. The spooky experience is being produced by Experiential Supply Co. at the Westfield Promenade at Topanga in Woodland Hills from now until Oct. 31.
Read full storyNewport Beach Real Estate Draws Reality Stars From 'Selling Sunset' to 'Shark Tank'
"Newport Beach: Beachfront Property."Roshan Vyas is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. Newport Beach, California is one of the most expensive locations in the United States to own real estate — and it's understandable why this beachside community draws the one percent. The stunning harbor views, the year-round sunshine and a neighborhood that provides top-tier restaurants and stores bring in the elite crowd that wants it all in the neighborhood. But there's one thing about Newport Beach that people tend to forget — it also lures reality television stars.
Read full storyHow to Spend One Day in Laguna Beach, California: From the Surf to the Pageant of the Masters
Laguna Beach, California.Kristyn Burtt. The lazy days of summer are coming to an end. But even if the kids are back in school, there are still great opportunities to take a weekend day trip in the Southern California area. One of the best things about this part of the country is that you are just a short drive from the desert, the mountains and the ocean — so enjoy an afternoon in the seaside community of Laguna Beach.
Read full storyFive Hours in Atlanta, Georgia — From the World of Coca-Cola to a Good Southern Meal
Olympic Rings at Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, Georgia.Kristyn Burtt. A recent family wedding took me back to the East Coast in our first trip since the pandemic began. We had a Friday afternoon and evening to enjoy in the city of Atlanta — we were able to get in a couple of tourist adventures and a delicious meal while we were there. Now, there's no shortage of things to do in this beautiful Southern city, but this is just a fun highlight if you only have a few hours to spare in the area.
Read full storyThe Best Way to Spend a Few Hours in Chattanooga, Tennessee — From Trains to Delicious Southern Biscuits
Chattanooga, TennesseKristyn Burtt. If the kids aren't already back in school, August makes for a great travel month as the lazy days of summer start to wind down. A recent family wedding took me back East to a tiny town in Georgia, but it was only 30 minutes away from the quaint downtown area of Chattanooga, Tennessee. With a wonderful late morning and early afternoon to spare before the nuptials, we decided to take a drive to check out the area.
Read full storyHollywood Gets a Brand New Moviegoing Experience Nestled Right Behind the Iconic Egyptian Theatre
Cinelounge SunsetCourtesy of Cinelounge Sunset. Summer in Los Angeles is always so much fun, but with rising Delta COVID numbers, many families are looking for outdoor alternatives when it comes to moviegoing. We've got you covered when it comes to the magic of cinema right in the heart of Hollywood — it's also a location that harkens back to the nostalgic days of the entertainment industry because it's situated behind the iconic Egyptian Theatre.
Read full storyHollywood Unions Move Ahead with Allowing Employers to Mandate Vaccines for Cast and Crew
SAG-AFTRA logo.Courtesy of SAG-AFTRA. Hollywood unions for the TV and film industry, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Basic Crafts, and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), together with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) have officially moved forward to allow producers to mandate vaccines on set. While certain standards will need to be met, the latest agreement will allow for some modifications for a fully vaccinated cast and crew.
Read full storyThe Las Vegas Strip Welcomes Back Cirque du Soleil, Bruno Mars, Dave Chappelle, & More After a Long Pandemic Hiatus
“O” by Cirque du Soleil, which has been enjoyed by more than 17 million people, celebrates its first performance in 16 months.MGM Resorts International. It's been a long year and a half for the shows that went dark along the Las Vegas Strip due to the pandemic, but MGM Resorts International is here to announce that there's major entertainment ahead this summer. If you're visiting the area, adding a show to your travel plans should be at the top of your list as major acts and performances continue to return to the stage.
Read full storyRooftop Cinema Club Makes It Easy for Los Angeles to Experience Movies in the Great Outdoors This Summer
Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA.Courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club. This summer, Los Angeles is going to get to experience movies in the open air from a rooftop seat or the comfort of your car. The Rooftop Cinema Club now has three locations throughout the LA area to make it convenient for everyone to see their favorite films in an exciting way.
Read full storySan Fernando Valley's Charming Toluca Lake Draws In the Celebrities From Viola Davis to Ray Romano
Toluca Lake signPublic Domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Los Angeles has plenty of magical little pockets to live in, where the neighborhoods make it feel like it isn't such a big city. One of the most idyllic places to live in the San Fernando Valley is Toluca Lake, which has a six-acre body of water in the middle of the community. The private lake is owned and maintained by Toluca Lake Property Owners Association, which has homes dotted along the waterfront — and of course, a golf club that is completely hidden from view.
Read full storyCelebrities Besides the Kardashians Who Call Hidden Hills, California Home
Long Valley Road gate, Hidden Hills, California.Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Anyone who followed the Kardashian family and their reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, knows all about their gated community in Hidden Hills, California. It's adjacent to Calabasas, where their notoriety first began in 2007. It's also a relatively small area (only 1.7 square miles) built in the 1950s by architect A. E. Hanson, who also developed the Rolling Hills and Palos Verdes Estates in Southern California. Even though the neighborhood is behind the gates, there is an elementary school on the property that is available to neighboring towns in the area.
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