Results tagged “chrysalis”

Laurie Sandell presents and signs her graphic novel The Impostor's Daughter: A True Memoir tonight at 7 pm at Book Soup. It’s a true story of a woman who loves and fears her larger-than-life father. But she discovers that her Dad isn’t the man he claimed to be and three decades of his lies unfold.

From the minute one steps foot inside the Los Angeles State Historic Park, the site of Cirque Berzerk, no minute is left unstimulated. A small crew outfitted in pirate-like burlesque circus costumes greets entering cars. As you walk toward the entrance, distracted by the LA skyline that unfolds ahead, a burst of intense heat startles you and you instantly jump back 5-feet. It's easy to miss the enormous torch towering above; that is until it lets out this fire-breathing roar. Just when it seems like a good time to ask yourself "What the hell is going on?" a giant pale faced 'clown' on stilts drunkenly stumbles your way, looks down at you for a second and keeps going. And at intermission, the 1930's brass band, Vaud and the Villains, put on a show with so much energy, it's not only worth the price of admission, but they leave you tempted to hop on the next flight to New Orleans. One might imagine this is how David Berrent, Cirque Berzerk's executive producer and managing partner, felt when he attended the wedding of Cirque Berzerk's founder's Suzanne Bernel and Kevin Bourque prompting him to "quit his day job" as a TV-producer, and put everything into developing the current show, Beneath.

The loss of 1.25 million jobs (yeah, 1,250,000!) in the last three months clearly has an impact on the demand (and need) for social services. On the flip side, the not-for-profits are struggling as they face budget cuts and sharp declines in donations. An increase in demand coupled with a decrease in supply...not too encouraging, especially around the holidays. Sunday's LA Time's included a "Guide for the Newly Poor" (h/t LA Homeless Blog) .On that note, here are some upcoming volunteer opportunities for the week.

Writer and legend, Ray Bradbury, will be speaking tonight at The Los Angeles Film School following a free screening of the film Chrysalis, adapted from one of his works. Mr. Bradbury was fully involved in the production of this film, from each draft to the visual effects. Here's the synopsis from the official website.