High-Tone Places

I’m back, after a long hiatus.

So I’ll get right into it. Some of my recent activities involve seeing a play, The Revolutionists which played at Theatre Forty in Beverly Hills and was of interest to me as a Francophile. The only problem was it was a real dud. Three of the four actors didn’t emote. Only the character that played Marie Antoinette was believable and used comedy and naiveté to lure in the audience.

During May I attended three classical concerts, two locally and one in Malibu. The Malibu concert by far was the best since it was hosted by Maria Newman, daughter of Alfred Newman, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Newman) American composer, arranger, and conductor of film music. Maria is also a talent in her own right, as a conductor of American music and although her talents aren’t used in Hollywood circles she’s a top-notch violinist and pianist.

On a serious note, one of my cousins passed, but the good that came from that was that our mutual cousin was here for the services, from out of town and paid me a visit. It was wonderful to reconnect with him and other family members.

I took a jaunt over to True Food Kitchen in Pasadena which gave me the children’s portion in other words my poke bowl was only one-third full and I came home after dinner to eat dinner again. I expressed my disappointment in a Yelp review and was promptly invited back. That was a nice surprise.

Also in Pasadena, I went to a local jazz club, called 1881 on a Friday night when there was live Jazz and an eclectic crowd. It’s a community establishment with more talent than many of the establishments in Hollywood.

A streaming highlight of the month was watching A Very British Scandal on Netflix. Is there anything that Claire Foy cannot do? The plot involves the story and events surrounding the notorious divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in 1963.

The Duchess of Argyll (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Campbell,_Duchess_of_Argyll) was the first publically shamed aristocratic woman in Britain. She was attractive and out of frustration being married to a drunk and an emotionally abusive man she turned to other men in comfort, 88 to be exact. Some might call that promiscuous but there may have been an underlining psychological imbalance to her acts of hanky-panky.

I love British films. There was a time when I leaned toward the French and I still do for comedy but when I want a meaty cerebral drama there’s nothing like seeing a British film or series.

I’m currently watching the last season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Miriam "Midge" Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids, and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn't previously know she had -- stand-up comedy. This revelation changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city's comedy industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to stardom.

However, it was disappointing that the writers can’t come up with anything other than F this and F that in season 5. But all comedy acts must come to an end and although there is a nice punchline, between Miriam and Susie, her manager, I miss Abe, her father’s repartee. I’ll give you a sample of his wit: https://youtu.be/zfrgYpmdZ-0

I also read the book Glucose Goddess (https://www.glucosegoddess.com/) what an eye-opener that was. Not only has it influenced my sweet tooth (that isn’t my most dominant salivary gland) but it influenced the order of my meals. I highly suggest it.

So there you have it. I haven’t shared about work just yet but hold onto your seats that’s coming next time.

I’m sharing a tune from the late great Nina Simone, just listen to the piano and instrumental. It’s fabulous!