Wondering where to get a good burger in Westwood? Looking for some great coffee? Here's a quick guide to some of my favorite places in the Village. In addition to my list, you can find a more complete (but slightly out of date) listing of restaurants (and stores and theaters) at Westwood Village Online.
Grab your blankets and a picnic basket and head out to Barnsdale Park. For two more weekends, you can see The Scottish Play, Midsummer Night's Dream, or Richard II for free!
The plays, produced by the Independent Shakespeare Company are really good. We saw The Dream on Saturday and it was quite excellent. The venue is in a park, so the set is minimal, costumes simple, but the acting -- terrific! It is a real treat to hear performers who really understand Shakespearean dialogue -- they speak clearly, with no fake english accents, and truly invest emotion and intelligence into their performances. I have not seen Richard II or the Scottish Play, but have heard the performances of those are as good as the Dream.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend performances. Contact info: (818) 710-6306; boxoffice@independentshakespeare.com and for info about the ISC:(http://www.independentshakespeare.com/)
For info about Barnsdall Park: http://www.barnsdallartpark.com/
With summer fast approaching, you may want to check out some of the new titles added to the Library's recreational reading collection. Take a look at the display of Tower Reading Room (TRR) books in the bookcase outside the entrance to the Library.
Titles include Black Girl/White Girl by Joyce Carol Oates, The Family that Couldn't Sleep: A Medical Mystery by D.T. Max, You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore, Children of Men by P.D. James, Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Ava Gardner: "Love is Nothing" by Lee Server, Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy, Heyday: A Novel by Kurt Andersen, A Long Way Home: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ismael Beah, and many more.
If you are interested in checking out any of the books in the display case, please inquire at Circulation. (Note: Only UCLA Law School students, faculty and staff may borrow these books.)
Come out next Monday (3/26) and support one of your own as they make their comedic debut. Andrew Treptow will be performing at the Comedy Union so make sure to come out and take a break and have a laugh! We'll see you there!
The Law Library has recently purchased 2 novels for the Tower Reading Room (TRR): the contemporary thriller True Evil by Greg Iles and the historic horror/thriller The Terror by Dan Simmons.
In True Evil, Greg Iles returns to his trademark Southern milieu in this terrifying thriller, an unnerving tale of evil lurking beneath the veneer of idyllic suburban life. He tells the chilling story of a divorce attorney who may be orchestrating the deaths of his clients' spouses (from book jacket).
In 1845, 129 men, led by Sir John Franklin, set sail from England in search of the legendary Northwest passage. Outfitted with the latest maritime and scientific equipment and packed with enough provisions to last years, the ships (the HMS Terror and flagship HMS Erebus) and her crew were never seen again. In The Terror, Dan Simmons takes this mystery as inspiration for his novel, "mixing historical adventure with gothic horror -- a sort of Patrick O'Brian meets Edgar Allan Poe against the backdrop of a J.M.W. Turner icescape. Meticulously researched and brilliantly imagined, The Terror won't satisfy historians or even Franklin buffs, but as a literary hybrid, the novel presents a dramatic and mythic argument for how and why Franklin and his men met their demise." (from Washington Post book review, linked below)
Both books are now on the shelves in the TRR. For links to book reviews and to excerpts provided by the publishers, click below.
The Law Library has recently purchased the biography, Justice for All: Earl Warren and the Nation He Made by Jim Newton, for the Tower Reading Room collection.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this collection, the Law Library’s Tower Reading Room (TRR) collection contains books for recreational reading (for the exclusive use of our law students, faculty and staff). Most of the books are of current interest (not necessarily related to the law) that may be difficult to obtain elsewhere on campus because they are so new or in such high demand.
In Justice for All, Jim Newton, a reporter, editor, and bureau chief at the Los Angeles Times for nearly twenty years, “brings readers the first truly complete consideration of Earl Warren, drawing on unparalleled access to government, academic, and private documents pertaining to Warren’s life, as well as extensive cooperation from his living children and associates. Newton illuminates both the public and private Warren, the father of six whose own father was murdered, the stoic leader of the Masons who was touched by the difficulties of children, the study yet prickly man.” (book jacket)
If you are interested in reading this book, it is now on the shelf in the TRR.
By the way, we also welcome suggestions for additions to this collection. For information on how to submit a request and for a complete list of TRR titles, please see the Specialized Collection page on the Law School’s Intranet (Lawnet log in required) at http://www.law.ucla.edu/home/index.asp?page=1397.
For links to book reviews, click below.
Continue reading "Justice for All: Earl Warren and the Nation He Made by Jim Newton" »
Miss the fun you used have as a kid. Fear not we have a few suggestions to get you in the spirit.
1. Head on over to Universal Studios and checkout the Halloween Horror Nights. Be sure to get there early becasue the lines can get long but it is worth the wait. After a six year break Universal Studios not only brought back the party but was smart enough to open the back lot. Halloween at the Bates Motel!
2. Not to be leftout Knott's Berry Farm will be hosting their annual Haunting.
3. A fan of the classics? Well you're in luck because for 2 nights only this coming Monday & Tuesday John Carpenter's Halloween will be re-released nationwide. Be sure to check your local theaters for showtimes.
4. Also Jason (well his mom anyway) will be appearing at the New Beverly Cinema theatre this weekend as well.
5. Looking for something a bit newer grab your friends and checkout Saw 3! The Jigsaw Killer is back for more.
6. How about a twist for the holiday. Stop by the Hollywood Forever Cemetary. Be sure to stop by cinespia.org and register for their mail list. What's better than watching films IN the cemetary?!
7. Like ghosts? Be sure to checkout the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Lot's to do and you can even stay in a haunted room.
8. If you enjoy the originals be sure visit the Disney Concert Hall's showing of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde starring John Berrymore. It's hard to top an evening with a classic silent film and a live pipe organ.
9. Planning to stay in? Be sure to pick up a copy of Disney's The Legend Sleepy Hollow featuring the voice of Bing Crosby.
10. And if you really want to be scared you can always stay home and study. Now that is scary.
Happy Halloween
Halloween is quickly approaching and there is no shortage of ways in which it can be celebrated. For those looking for a good scare, there are plently of spine-tingling events to choose from. Knott’s Berry Farm is hosting its 34th Annual Halloween Haunt. This terrifying event features 12 themed mazes, 6 shows, 4 scare zones, and over 1,000 monsters lurking throughout the park. The Six Flags Fright Fest offers Halloween fun for everyone. The park is family friendly during the day featuring Halloween activities that are more appropriate for children. At 6:00pm frightening ghouls begin to appear and the park quickly transforms to cater to those looking for a good scare. Six mazes, five shows, and four scare zones can be found throughout the park and there is plenty to see and do. Queen Mary’s Shipwreck takes place aboard the historic Queen Mary ocean liner docked at the Long Beach Harbor. Legend has it that this ship is haunted year round so it is the perfect location for a Halloween fright night. There are a variety of spooky events aboard this vessel including seven mazes, two nightly dance parties, and live bands. Universal Studios is hosting Hollywood Horror Nights with several scare zones. The most exciting aspect of this year’s event is that entrance to the back lot will be granted for the first time. The idea is to be on the set of a live horror film.
If being terrified is not exactly what you have in mind to celebrate Halloween, there are also family friendly events to choose from. Disney’s Halloween Time provides family fun without the scare factor. There are plenty of Halloween activities for kids of all ages. One of the main attractions is the Haunted Mansion, which is transformed to reflect Tim Burton’s film, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The Los Angeles Zoo will host their annual Boo at the Zoo event on October 28 and 29. During this event, the zoo is transformed for Halloween fun featuring performances, face-painting, and trick-or-treating. Of course snakes, spiders, and other creepy crawlers can be spotted at this Halloween event also. One of the most traditional ways to get in the Halloween spirit is to carve a pumpkin. All of the necessary tools for this activity, including the perfect pumpkin, can be found at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in West Hollywood. There are also a variety of fun activities for kids including a petting zoo, maze, pony rides, jumpin’ pumpkin, and more.
Finally, if you are looking to go out in costume on Halloween night, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival has a reputation for hosting the largest and best outdoor adult costume party. This event promises plenty of entertainment including live bands. If you simply must include your pet in all of this Halloween fun, the Annual Pet Halloween Costume Contest takes place in West Hollywood on October 22nd at 10:00am.
Regardless of how you intend to spend your Halloweeen, or the days leading up to it, there are several events in and around Los Angeles to choose from.
See Madeleine Peyroux in Royce Hall on Friday, October 6 at 8 pm! Don't miss the opportunity to see this incredibly talented singer/songwriter right here on campus. Students can get tickets for $15! What are you waiting for? Tickets are limited so don't delay. Here is the description from the UCLA Live Website:
"Peyroux’s bittersweet, brokenhearted alto earned her comparisons to the late Billie Holiday and Patsy Cline. Born in Georgia and raised in Paris and New York, the young singer, guitarist and songwriter fell in love with French culture on the streets of Paris, and sang jazz and blues with a touring band. An original interpreter of songs from earlier eras, Peyroux channels vintage jazz and blues with chilling accuracy. Her 2004 release, Careless Love, is a seamless blend of acoustic blues, country ballads, torch songs and pop, featuring songs by an array of artists including W. C. Handy, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen, Elliott Smith and Edith Piaf. Peyroux’s concert will include songs from her new album, Half the Perfect World."
The Regina Carter Quintet will be performing at the Jazz Bakery Oct. 10-15, 2006. Regina Carter has been described as the "reigning queen of jazz violin." She is a younger artist, and is, in my opinion, the best jazz violinst since Stefan Grappelli passed away. If you haven't been to the Jazz Bakery, this is a good time to visit -- small, intimate and non-profit, this is a serious venue for jazz performances. There are even student discounts available. For more information: http://www.jazzbakery.com/.
I recently received an issue of Real Simple Food in which the editors reported on a taste test of 100 frozen meals. I thought this would be useful information for students, so I am passing it along. They also mentioned a helpful website that rates microwave meals called HeatEatReview.com (their motto is “We eat it so you don’t have to”). The site also arranges meals by rating, brand and ingredient.
If you would like to read my abbreviated report of Real Simple’s results, please follow the link below.
Don’t miss the musical genre-defying Andrew Bird when he plays at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood next Thursday, September 21 (tickets are still available). Bird is a classically trained violinist, who bows, plucks and, at times, strums his instrument like a guitar along to his unique and mesmerizing songs. Of his latest album, The Mysterious Production of Eggs, 
Billboard magazine says: “…Bird can be noisy, charming, frivolous, haunting and playful all at once, with each song an adventure and, as the title implies, a mystery. As compulsive as he is obsessive, Bird's attention to detail in ‘Production of Eggs’ assembles all his finest gifts into one breathtaking basket.”
Regarding his live sets, Amazon.com says: “Equally impressive is Bird's solo live show at which, with the aid of a sampling pedal, the songwriter takes his often dense, orchestrated recordings and rewrites them anew each night, adding hypnotic layers of instruments to his vocals and other-worldly whistling - you have to see it to believe it.”
The popular French band M83 will be playing at the Groud Zero Coffeehouse on Sept. 28th.
Their musical style owes something to the shoegazing genre in its extensive use of reverb effects and lyrics spoken softly over loud instrumentals, though M83's songs employ considerably less guitar than most shoegazing bands.
Homegrown ¡roc en español!
Tonight on the world famous Sunset Strip
On the Rox presents:
RASCUACHE, Fatima and Lik.
9009 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90069
8pm. 21 and over. $8.
Mention the UCLA School of Law and recieve a free Rascuache CD and pin!
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