NOT YOUR TYPICAL BUT FUN CLASSES TO TAKE

THE SECOND CLASS THAT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT IS BOTH FUN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, GOOD FOR THE SOUL IS VOICE CLASSES BY KATHY DEITCH. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS ONE ON ONE CLASS. THE COST IS $55.00 FOR AN HOUR LESSON.  THE BEST PART OF THE CLASS IS YOU CAN TAKE A LESSON IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME!

I MET KATHY AFTER WATCHING HER IN ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MUSICALS I HAVE EVER SEEN, “SILENCE! The musical”, A TAKE OFF ON THE FILM “SILENCE OF THE LAMBS”.  I ALMOST FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR LAUGHING AT THEATRE WATCHING THIS PRODUCTION. I WOULD SAY THAT FROM WATCHING THE AUDIENCE AROUND ME THEY FELT THE SAME WAY. KATHY WAS HYSTERICAL IN HER DUAL ROLES AS BOTH THE KIDNAPPED GIRL AND THE GIRL’S MOTHER. THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION AND CAST WAS PHENOMENAL  WHICH IS SAYING A LOT COMING FROM ME. IT’S NOT UNUSUAL FOR ME TO WALK OUT OF A PLAY OR MUSICAL BEFORE THE FIRST HALF IS OVER (WHICH IS WHY I ALWAYS SIT ON THE AISLE (EASIER TO WALK OUT).  IN ANY CASE,  NOT WALK OUT BUT I ACTUALLY STOOD UP AND CHEERED AT THE END OF THE PERFORMANCE WITH THE REST OF THE AUDIENCE AND I ENCOURAGED EVERYONE I KNOW TO GO AND SEE THE SHOW.  I ADMIRED  KATHY’S VOICE AND HER STUNNING VOCAL RANGE.  AS I WATCHED HER I THOUGHT I WONDER IF I CAN LEARN TO DO THAT! I WONDER IF I COULD LEARN TO SING LIKE THAT. IT LED ME TO ANOTHER QUESTION. I WONDER IF SHE TEACHES? AND SO I REACHED OUT TO HER ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. LUCKY FOR ME SHE RESPONDED AND LUCKIER FOR ME SHE DOES TEACH!

 I HAVE TRIED TO TAKE VOICE LESSONS IN THE PAST BUT INEVITABILITY HAD TO GIVE THEM UP. I ALWAYS HAD A HARD TIME GETTING MYSELF TO THE LESSONS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. ONE OF THE ISSUES IN GETTING TO A LESSON FOR ME INCLUDED TOO MUCH TRAFFIC, WHICH, IN TURN, HAS MADE ME TIRED BEFORE I EVEN BEGIN TO SING.  IN ADDITION, WORK CONFLICTS KEPT ME IN THE OFFICE LONGER THAN EXPECTED. I WOULD GET TO A LESSON LATE ONLY TO BE TOLD I COULDN'T HAVE A LESSON OR THE LESSON WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT SHORT BECAUSE OF THE NEXT STUDENT SCHEDULED. KNOWING ALL THIS MADE ME HESITANT ABOUT STARTING VOICE LESSONS ONCE AGAIN. I WONDERED HOW LONG I WOULD LAST. LUCKILY FOR ME KATHY INTRODUCED ME TO A NEW WAY TO TAKING VOICE LESSONS, A WAY THAT REALLY WORKS FOR ME.  WHAT MAKES MY LESSONS WITH KATHY DEITCH WORK FOR ME IS THE FLEXIBLE  SCHEDULE AND HAVING OUR LESSONS ON SKYPE.  IT’S ALL SIMPLIFIED FOR ME. NOW ALL I NEED TO DO IS SCHEDULE SOME TIME WITH KATHY,  GET HOME,  GET COMFORTABLE AND FIND A PLACE WHERE I WON’T BE DISTURBED FOR AN HOUR AND, VOILA, I RECEIVE A GREAT VOICE LESSON. IT’S INGENIOUS FOR THOSE OF US WHO GET LAZY, TIRED OR HAVE A MOMENT OF BEING UNMOTIVATED. I DON’T WANT TO GIVE THE WRONG IMPRESSION HERE. WHILE PART OF KATHY’S PERSONA IS RELAXED AND EASY GOING, KATHY IS ALSO QUITE THE TASK MASTER. SHE DOESN'T LET ME GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING. SHE HEARS ALL AND SEE’S ALL. EVERY BREAK IN MY VOICE, EVERY NUANCE OF MY PHRASING, EACH PLACEMENT AND WHEN AND WHERE I FORGET TO  BREATH IS REVIEWED AND ANALYZED, WHICH MAKES THE LESSON CHALLENGING BUT DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY. SHE IS A SERIOUS ARTIST AND MOST DEFINITELY SERIOUS ABOUT HER TEACHING. SHE PUSHES HARD, REPEATING AND EMPHASIZING EXERCISES AND TECHNIQUES. I ACTUALLY FELT PHYSICALLY TIRED AFTER MY LAST LESSON AS KATHY BARKED AT ME TO “BREATHE!” AT PARTICULAR POINTS AND PHRASES IN LEARNING MY SONG.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS SKIPPING A LESSON BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T PRACTICE.  HAVING A LESSON WHEN I DIDN'T PRACTICE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A POINT OF ANXIETY FOR ME.  I SOMETIMES WANTED TO SKIP A LESSON WITH KATHY BECAUSE I HAVEN’T HAD A CHANCE TO PRACTICE IN A WEEK. KATHY HAS ENCOURAGED ME TO HAVE A LESSON ANYWAY. AND I FIND THIS ALSO WORKS FOR ME. RATHER THAN GET FURTHER BEHIND WE PICK UP WHERE WE LAST LEFT OFF.  THE BEST PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT I CAN SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN MY QUALITY AND TECHNIQUES WHEN I DIDN'T PRACTICE. SOMEHOW I MANAGE TO INTERNALIZE WHAT WAS TAUGHT.  IT MOTIVATES ME TO PRACTICE MORE THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

I MADE KATHY PROMISE ME THAT AS HER CAREER TAKES OFF SHE MUST CONTINUE TO GIVE ME VOICE LESSONS. WHAT I SAID IN FACT WAS WHEN YOU ARE UP ON STAGE ACCEPTING YOUR OSCAR I STILL EXPECT YOU TO STILL MEET ME ON SKYPE FOR MY VOICE LESSONS.

I DON’T KNOW WHETHER KATHY IS ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS FOR PRIVATE LESSONS HER INFORMATION IS BELOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

PRIVATE LESSONS $55.00 FOR A 45 MINUTE LESSON, 6 FOR $300.00.  SHE USUALLY GOES OVER AND LESSONS ARE MORE LIKE AN HOUR. I MAKE PAYMENTS THROUGH PAYPAL WHICH MAKES THE WHOLE PROCESS SO EASY.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOICE LESSONS YOU CAN EMAIL KATHY AT AuditionBootCamp@gmail.com

KATHY ALSO HAS AN AUDITION BOOT CAMPL. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT WHAT KATHY DOES BY GOING TO HER FACEBOOK PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/AudtionBootCamp

 

 NOT YOUR USUAL CLASS BUT FUN TO TAKE

THERE ARE TWO CLASSES I TAKE AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND BOTH ARE FUN AND GOOD FOR YOUR BODY AND SOUL. I AM GOING TO WRITE ABOUT ONE OF THEM HERE.  THE FIRST CLASS IS A MORNING RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASS LED BY NIKITA GUPTA AT GATEWAY, LOCATED AT 2511 S. BARRINGTON AVENUE, WEST LOS ANGELES, CA 90064. THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE FOR SOME WILL BE THE TIME, 7:30 UNTIL 9 A.M., EVERY SATURDAY. THIS CLASS IS BOTH A WORK OUT AND A GREAT DE-STRESSER, . .  IT WAS A GREAT FIND FOR ME! I WANTED A SATURDAY MORNING CLASS FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, I  I MAINTAIN MY MORNING ROUTINE OF GETTING UP EARLY, INSTEAD OF WORK I GO TO YOGA.  GENERALLY, LATE MORNING EXERCISE CLASSES GIVE ME TOO MUCH TIME TO FIND REASONS NOT TO GET TO CLASS, LAZINESS  SETS IN AND I’D STAY IN BED.  FOR A 7:30 CLASS I WAKE UP AS IF I AM GOING TO WORK AND DO THE USUAL WORK ROUTINE—COFFEE, GET DRESSED ETC. DON’T GET ME WRONG. MY MIND STILL GIVES ME A MILLION REASONS TO STAY HOME BUT SOMEHOW KEEPING THE SAME ROUTINE FOR A SIXTH DAY GIVES ME THE MOMENTUM TO GET TO CLASS. THE SECOND REASON I LIKE THE SATURDAY MORNING CLASS IS THE SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT I FEEL AFTER I COMPLETE THE CLASS. IF I AM LAZY THE REST OF THE DAY OR THE WEEKEND I FEEL AS IF I AT LEAST GOT ONE HEALTHY THING DONE.

REASONS TO TAKE THIS CLASS:

THE SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE CLASS.  THE SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE, MAKING THE EXPERIENCE BOTH PERSONAL AND COZY. ONE OF THE THINGS I HATE ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER YOGA CLASSES I'VE ATTENDED IN THE PAST IS HOW CROWDED THE ROOM GETS AND TRYING TO STAKE OUT A BIT OF TERRITORY. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM WITH THIS RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASS AT THE GATEWAY. SINCE THE SAME PEOPLE TEND TO SHOW UP IT’S ALSO EASIER TO TRULY TALK AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE. AFTER CLASS IT’S NOT UNUSUAL FOR FOLKS TO SHARE THEIR PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND, TALK ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES, AND GENERAL THINGS OF INTEREST.  I HONESTLY LIKE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT I HAVE MET IN THIS CLASS. THE BAD THING ABOUT THE SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN A CLASS—YOU WONDER IF EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN YOU HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP DURING THE MEDITATIVE PORTION OF THE CLASS. THIS MEDITATION HAPPENS AT THE START OF CLASS AND AT THE END OF CLASS. I KNOW THAT I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS FALLEN ASLEEP SINCE I HAVE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE SNORING.

NIKITA’S PATIENCE AND SENSE OF HUMOR. NIKITIA IS VERY PATIENT AND MELLOW, WHICH ISN'T TO SAY THE CLASS IS EASY. OK-I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAN BARELY STRETCH AND ALMOST EVERY POSE FOR ME IS A CHALLENGE. I HAVE BEEN FAIRLY ACTIVE MY WHOLE LIFE BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN LIMBER. I STILL CANNOT TOUCH MY TOES AND I HATE THE POSE DOWNWARD FACING DOG, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT SEEMS NO ONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. ON A POSITIVE NOTE, I AM ALSO DETERMINED TO EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO DO THE EXERCISES/POSES THAT COME SO EASY FOR EVERYONE ELSE.  I PLAN TO CELEBRATE WHEN I CAN ACTUALLY TOUCH MY TOES!  NIKITA NEVER MADE ME OR ANYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE THEY’RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET IT. SHE QUIETLY ENCOURAGES, SUGGESTING USE OF BLOCKS OR STRAPS WHEN ANY OF US IN THE CLASS NEED THE EXTRA SUPPORT OR HELP. SHE’S ALSO QUICK TO NOTICE WHEN WE MAKE THE SLIGHTEST IMPROVEMENTS FROM ONE WEEK TO THE NEXT.  ONE OF THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS CLASS IS THERE IS NO SHAME IN GETTING PROPS TO HELP WITH CREAKING KNEES OR TO BEND OVER AND ALMOST TOUCH YOUR TOES. I HAVE HEARD EVERY CREAK AND CRACK COMING FROM MY BONES AS WELL AS FROM OTHERS IN THE CLASS. THIS IS A RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASS BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT ON OCCASION NIKITA WILL SNEAK IN SOME POSTURES I SUSPECT ARE A BIT ABOVE THE RESTORATIVE LEVEL.  I SUPPOSE IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A CHALLENGE.

COST OF THE CLASS. THE CLASS IS ONLY $15.00. IT CAN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF OF BLISS

ONE GOOD THING TO DO FOR YOURSELF.  TAKING THIS CLASS MAKES ME PROUD OF DOING AT LEAST ONE GOOD THING FOR MY BODY EVERY WEEK.  IT HELPS TO COUNTERACT SOME OF THE BAD THINGS I DO ALL WEEK LIKE EATING THE M&M’S SO READILY AVAILABLE IN MY OFFICE OR SNEAKING SOME FRENCH FRIES FROM MY FRIEND’S LUNCH. J

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CANNOT FOR THE LIFE OF YOU EVER MAKE A MORNING CLASS. NIKITA TEACHES A TWO HOUR CLASS ONCE A MONTH IN VENICE BEACH.  I HAVEN’T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THAT CLASS BUT I HEAR FROM SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS IN THE 7:30 SATURDAY MORNING CLASS THAT IT’S FUN.  HERE’S A LINK TO NIKITA’S WEBPAGE FOR MORE INFO.

http://nikitagupta.com/index/

NEXT BLOG-BEST MUSIC LESSONS EVER. CHEAP AND FROM YOUR HOME. 

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CRONUTS

 Cronuts

I read somewhere about the one bakery in New York that is responsible for a new phenomenon.   The CRONUT.  Chef Dominique Ansel of the Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York, has created a pastry that is a hybrid of a donut and a croissant. It is the only bakery in New York that serves the cronut.  The cronut is so popular that the bakery has a limit on the amount that you can buy during a single purchase Customers are willing to wait outside in line for hour’s mornings in the hopes of getting a cronut before they are sold out.

 When I read an article about the cronut and Chef Dominique Ansel’s Bakery, it sounded so delicious  I thought about ordering it from New York and having it shipped to Los Angeles just so I could try it. Turns out,  the cronut has a short shelf life and it cannot be shipped. Luckily, several bakeries have jumped on the cronut craze and have raced to make their own version of the cronut. These are the first three bakeries in L.A. where I was able to find and sample the cronut. 

Semi Sweet Bakery

105 E 6th St

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 228-9975

Frances Bakery & Coffee

404 E 2nd St

Los Angeles, CA 9001

(213) 680-4899

Spudnuts Donuts

8225 Topanga Canyon Blvd

Canoga Park, CA 91304

(818) 348-5054

I enlisted my Father and my son to conduct a taste testing over one weekend to sample the cronut from these three bakeries. I think both my Father and son were both pretty happy with the cronuts from each of the three places. I think they especially like that I was buying them both cronuts!

Here are the results of the taste test.  My son’s favorite cronut is from Frances Bakery and Coffee on Second Street in Little Tokyo. Frances’ cronut has a light cream filling in their cronut.  His second place choice is Spudnuts located in Canoga Park, which also comes with a cream filling. In third place is the cronut from Semi  Sweet bakery  located on 6^th Street in downtown Los Angeles.

My Father’s first preference, the Semi Sweet Bakery. The cronut from the Semi Sweet Bakery is similar to Frances Bakery but with no filling. In second place is the cronut from Frances Bakery and finally in third place, Spudnuts.

My  particular favorite? I would have to go with Frances Bakery and Coffee, followed by Spudnuts and finally Semi Sweet Bakery.  I like the cronut from Frances Bakery because it has just the right amount of filling for my taste. Spudnuts is good but has a bit more filling then I like. The cronut at Semi Sweet Bakery tastes a bit greasy to me.

As interesting as a cronut is to try, I have to caution that cronuts are not cheap.  The price of a single cronut ranges from $2.95 to $3.85.

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Maje Exploring L.A. Gandhi's ashes in L.A.

This is one of favorite places to visit.  This is the perfect place to go to If you are feeling stressed, need some alone time or just a peaceful moment. It’s a great place to get away from it all for a short time. You will leave this place feeling both re-energized and tranquil. If you are in need of a spiritual rejuvenation, I highly recommend the Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens in Pacific Palisades. Founded in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda, the Lake Shrine Meditation Garden is a hidden paradise available and free to the public. The Lake Shrine honors all the religions of the world, but you don’t need to be religious to enjoy the Lake Shrine. Park your car in the very accessible parking lot and walk right to the Lake. You will find yourself surrounded by  the lush greenery of the Lake.  There are a variety of beautiful flowers to look at and various tall trees to shade you as you walk. 

Walking through the garden should take you no more than fifteen minutes, but I recommend you take your time and discover the benches and alcoves hidden at various intervals. You will find people utilizing the benches reading quietly, mediating, or just sitting enjoying the beauty of the lake.  At the center of the garden is a large lake filled with ducks, and koi. Surprisingly, there is a large Dutch windmill at one end of the lake. There is also a chapel about three quarters of the way around the Lake.  The Chapel is a great place to sit and meditate and pray if the mood strikes you. There is an old but well maintained houseboat on the lake and right next to the houseboat there is a wooden sitting area where you can usually find a bucket of food to feed the fish. There are religious symbols from various religions around the world and plaques with messages of peace and love. There is a courtyard that honors the five major religions of the world-Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism.

Most Amazing to me was to find out that a portion of Gandhi’s ashes is also enshrined at the garden!  You will find Gandhi’s ashes in a thousand year old stone sarcophagus from
China. Gandhi's ashes are encased in a brass and silver coffer.

The Lake Shrine is located at 17190 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00-4:30 pm. Sunday- 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm.

The parking is free and the lot is open during visiting hours

Maje Exploring L.A. Venice Canals, Venice, California

I have been exploring LA. I prefer doing things on my own time and finding events or discovering the unusual. A friend suggested I start writing about some of my explorations.  So here I go. Today I am going to start with my weekend walking experiences.

Yesterday, I went on a walk around the Venice area. I waited until early evening because of the heat. It was triple digits in the valley! It was way too hot so it seemed appropriate to go to the beach. I have always liked to walk for exercise but I became restless a few months ago walking the same streets over and over again. I decided to expand my horizons and so to that end I bought two books to help me find new places to walk in LA. One of the best investments I have ever made. For my walk yesterday I used the book "Walking L.A." by Erin Mahoney. I am working my way through all the walks in this book. I have been to about 6 or 7 of the walks. I haven't been a fan of all of them, but there are some fascinating walks that I highly recommend,  I have never walked around the canals near Venice Beach. Not sure that many of us that actually live in LA have actually taken the time to walk around the canals in Venice. I think of Venice Beach and my thoughts go to the actual beach, not to mention the problem with finding parking.

The walk I took yesterday is definitely one I would recommend. I have lived in LA for 33 years and I have never walked around the canals in Venice. I parked my car near Ocean Avenue, on a side street in a residential area. I had no problem finding parking. I don't know if that's always the case or if I got lucky. I  walked through the residential area and crossed over a bridge on Linnie Avenue.  I was thrilled when I saw the first canal. What a beautiful sight. Hidden from any main street it is a sight to behold. I thought about all the relatives that come to visit  from time to time from all over the world and how I half heartedly take them to the most touristy places in and around Los Angeles--Hollywood, Universal etc. I should have been taking them to see the beauty and wonder of the canals! I knew there were canals but never thought to go and actually see them for myself. I don't recall anyone ever telling me how fascinating they are to see. In fact, the last reference I remember hearing about the canals of Venice was in the documentary "Dogtown and Z Boys".  And the canals weren't exactly a showcase. In any case it's not just the canals that are interesting to see, it is the homes around the canals. They are distinct, beautiful and unique. Everything from funky, to Victorian to cottage like homes. I immediately wanted a home with a canal as my backyard!

After my walk around the canals I continued to Abbot Kinney. There you will find lots of places to shop and a variety of restaurants. I like the old buildings on Abbot Kinney. Yet as old and worn as some of the outside of the buildings appeared to be, a glance inside the restaurants and gallery's all appear new and well cared for. It  was definitely a busy, bustling street on an early Saturday evening.  I walked into a few restaurants and checked out some of the  menus. I  took their cards from several of them for future exploration. From Abbot Kinney I looped back to the canals and ended my walk. The entire walk was an easy 2 miles. 
This is my first article. I hope you find it helpful.  I plan to share more about the places I go to about once a week. Some of the future finds I plan to write about will include:

Beautfiul garden area in Los Angeles where a portion of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes is housed.

Best Saturday morning restorative yoga class for early risers. It's at 7:30 a.m. and usually only has about five people! Only fifteen dollars!

Secret public staircases in Los Angeles to walk and explore.

Where to get awesome voice lessons via Skype from a seasoned professional if you have always wanted to sing. :)

In the meantime feel free to write back, post comments and share places and events that you find interesting.