My friend Barbara called me this afternoon saying that, after a long drama-filled work week, she was "hankering for some moonshine." Being from the south, I knew exactly what she meant. Since she was coming from Santa Monica (near the Pier), and I was already in L.A., I suggested that we meet at one of my favorite friday night hot-spots: Friday Night Jazz at LACMA. I've been coming here for about fifteen years and rarely has the musical line-up offered a sour note (pun intended). Tonight, they featured The Monktet, which was founded by John Magruder, and played in the style of Thelonius Monk - Classic Jazz. For a number of years, this program was offered year round, but now it only goes from April through Thanksgiving. One of the best parts about coming here, (besides the wonderful music and atmosphere) is the wonderful price - FREE! During these economically challenging times, it's nice to be able to use my favorite four-letter "F" word, in public, once again: FREE! One good quality of having a good platonic relationship like Barbara's and mine is that this doesn't translate, as it might on a date, as being cheap. Which I am not.
The weather was really nice, so the turn-out was great.
Easily 500+ people took over the atrium tonight: old, young,
dressed up, dressed down, couples, families, friends, children...
Easily 500+ people took over the atrium tonight: old, young,
dressed up, dressed down, couples, families, friends, children...
Tonight's Entertainment
The mini-bar; serving wine, beer and snacks.
The bookstore and gift shop.
After leaving the concert, and on the way to our cars, Barbara and I stopped by the Chris Burden light installation, Urban Lights, which he's described as, "symbols of a civilized and sophisticated city - safe after dark and beautiful to behold." This magnificent exhibit consists of 202 1920's cast-iron lamp posts from Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Even in the middle of Los Angeles, something about these grand lamps strike me as being extremely romantic; two lovers taking a midnight stroll, down a fog-filled London street.
I greatly enjoy coming to LACMA, for both the museum exhibits as well as, the music and film series throught out the year. This would be a great place for me to take a couple to do an engagement or wedding shoot. The glowing lights serving as sort of a modern day mistletoe; the gentleman stealing a kiss underneath the glowing filaments from his future bride.
I greatly enjoy coming to LACMA, for both the museum exhibits as well as, the music and film series throught out the year. This would be a great place for me to take a couple to do an engagement or wedding shoot. The glowing lights serving as sort of a modern day mistletoe; the gentleman stealing a kiss underneath the glowing filaments from his future bride.
Chris Burden's "Urban Lights"
All images by N.D. Harrington for The Sophisticated Gentleman
HOURS:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Wed: CLOSED
Friday: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Wed: CLOSED
Friday: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am - 7:00pm
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