The winds of change at The Ebell

They say the only constant in the universe is change (except from a vending machine.)  The winds of change are breezing through the Ebell of Los Angeles as we say goodbye to one of our family.

Melissa, Kristin, Anessa and Lauren; rooftop at The Hotel Wilshire

Receptionist and Administrative Assistant, Kristin Chiles, is getting married and will relocate with her soon-to-be-husband (ubber-awesome Chris Bostick of The Varnish) to Austin, Texas, where new adventures await!

Its bittersweet, saying goodbye – we’ll miss Kristin, and yet we know that her life is going in a magnificent direction.  We sent her off with a hearty celebration at The Hotel Wilshire at their swanky roof top pool with cocktails, laughter and fun.

When asked about her favorite moments at the Ebell, Kristin responded,  “Oh gosh! So many!!  Good people, good environment, a sense of work and play, happy hours and silliness, spontaneous office dance parties (laughing) – good friends, good support, lots of love.”

Fitting right in to the Ebell family is our newest inductee: we welcome Lauren Morrison, who has already endeared us as a perfect addition to the team.  Lauren comes to us with a background in movie production, film distribution, special events, non-profit fundraising (she’s even a founder of her own non-profit organization, Living For Liz).  “I could not be more thrilled to have been offered a job at the Ebell.  It is truly a great place to work, surrounded with great people to work with.  I am so proud to be a part of such a great organization and historic special event venue.” 

Michael (Wilshire Ebell Theatre), David, Melissa, Kristin, Anessa (Ebell Special Events)

Champagne send off – a special bottle for toasting at her wedding!

Spontaneous dance party (with Chef Louis, who is not inclined to join in)

“Welcome, Lauren – we are blessed to have you here!”   ~   “Thank you, Kristin – we are blessed to have known you!”

“Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good…”

Reflective moment as the party ends…saying goodbye to L.A. city lights

Ebell Parking Lot Sale: May 12

No, the parking lot is not for sale. But you will want to visit the Ebell of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 12, from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. when our west parking lot will display an extensive sale of fine items donated by Ebell members.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

This parking lot sale includes:

• vintage furniture from Victorian to mid-century
• modern paintings, prints, posters,
• ethnic and vintage textiles,
• folk art and international dolls,
• loads of  picture frames, china and glass,
• items for kitchen and workshop,
• lamps,
• t.v.’s,
• baskets galore,
• fine ceramics,
• flower vases and cache pots;
• a small quitar,
• a telescope,
• dishes: table linens and serving ware,
• decorative accessories of many kinds,
• designer and ethnic clothing,
• books, media, toys, games,
• educational materials
• … and much more!

One day only!  Don’t Miss It! 

The west parking lot of The Ebell of Los Angeles is located on Wilshire Boulevard just west of the building and Lucerne Boulevard.  Ample parking available.  Come early!

Monday Lunch featured Blogging Topic

Monday Lunch Programs at The Ebell of Los Angeles feature various topics each week, and this Monday April 23, the topic will present a panel discussion on the topic of blogging: Is there a blogger in you?

New Ebell Club member (and expert blogger herself!) Jeannine Chanin Penn brings MomsLA founders Yvonne Condes, Sarah Auerswald, and Elise Crane Derby together to talk about the blogosphere, how they started their blogs, and offer tidbits, tips and tricks on starting your own blog. 

No matter what interests you may want to blog about (hobbies, fashion, entertainment, day-in-the-life…) these ladies will give you plenty to consider in joining the social media dialogue via blogging.

11:30 a.m. for registration and social hour, lunch at noon with program beginning at 12:45 p.m.  YOU NEED NOT BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND: Tickets are $25 for Ebell Members, $30 for Non-Members.  For Ebell Membership Candidates, this is a wonderful way to meet members to complete your application process.   For tickets, call 323-931-1277 x131 or make your reservations online.

“See you Monday!!  “

Titanic at 100 years…

At 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912, two hours and forty minutes after scraping an iceberg that left her crippled and damaged, the RMS Titanic – deemed unsinkable – finished its gruesome decent into the sea.  Over 1,500 lives were lost, only 708 survivors in the lifeboats built to hold 1,178.  On this, the 100 year anniversary of that night to remember, the world is as fascinated as ever with Titanic (though I’ve become fascinated by the tweets of those who only thought Titanic was a movie.)

The Ebell of Los Angeles recently hosted a Monday Lunch featuring Debbie McIntosh as The Unsinkable Molly Brown.  Mrs. Brown was a first class passenger on Titanic’s maiden (and only) voyage, and her authoritative assistance in the evacuation (taking an oar herself in lifeboat #6) and insistence that the crew of the lifeboat return to look for survivors (hers was the only lifeboat that did) made her legendary.   To commemorate the topic, Executive Chef Louis Pechan prepared a lunch menu from actual selections on the final Titanic lunch menu for First Class passengers: Chicken a la Maryland with Mashed Potato and Vegetables, and Apple Meringue.

There have been and will be many opportunities this week to explore Titanic’s historical and social impact.  I particularly enjoyed an article in Smithsonian Magazine about the theory that optical illusion contributed to the sinking as well as failure of nearby ships to rescue.  And if you are interested in how Titanic may have affected your family, Ancestry.com is offering free access to the records online so you can conduct a search for relatives who may have been on the ship (hurry – offer expire at midnight April 15.)

A Taste of The Ebell, February 2012, Part 3 of 3 (French 75)

On Thursday, February 23rd, the The Ebell of Los Angeles Special Events Department hosted its 4th  “Taste of The Ebell,” a showcase offering clients a special evening to sample delicious menu elements and unique event enhancements in preparation for their special day.

Before guests adjourned to the Dining Room to enjoy a sampling of starters, entrees and desserts from Executive Chef Louis Pechan, guests lounged in the Art Salon, enjoying hand treatments from Dollface Esthetique and sampled custom-blended scented oils and lotions from Mobile Mixtress while guitarist Alejandro Lazo enhanced the ambiance through music.  Nothing compliments a little pampering like a simple, classic cocktail!

The French 75.

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces dry sparkling wine, chilled

Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold. Strain into chilled Champagne flute or Collins glass, top with sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon peel.

Anyone else thirsty?

A Taste of The Ebell, February 2012: Part 2 of 3 (Cuisine)

On Thursday, February 23rd, The Ebell of Los Angeles Special Events Department hosted a “Taste of The Ebell,” a showcase offering clients a special evening to sample delicious menu elements and unique event enhancements in preparation for their special day.

The evening’s menu, designed by Executive Chef Louis Pechan included a variety of hors d’oeuvres, starter salads and entree selections, and Jen from B&G Photography was there capturing the deliciousness as it came out of the kitchen!

Calligraphy Katrina provided the gorgeous hand crafted menus for A Taste of The Ebell

BBQ Short Rib Tacos

Port Wine Poached Pear and Endive Salad with Blue Cheese and Pine Nuts

Arugula and Olive Oil Poached Tomato Salad with Burrata and Aged Spanish Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Vegetable Risotto with Basil Sauce and Herb Salad

Escabeche Fish Fillets with Bamboo Rice and Taro Chips

Intermezzo Sorbet

Jerked Free Range Airline Chicken Breast with Roasted Yuca and Pepper Relish Stuffed Chayote

Filet Mignon with Potato Gratin, Broccolini and Red Wine Reduction

Black and White Wedding Cake from Superfine Bakery

Guests enjoy a delicious meal in The Ebell's Dining Room

A Taste of The Ebell, February 2012: Part 1 of 3 (Event Summary)

On Thursday, February 23rd, the The Ebell of Los Angeles Special Events Department hosted “A Taste of The Ebell,” a showcase event offering clients a special evening to sample delicious menu elements and unique event enhancements in preparation for their special day.  The culinary presentation by Executive Chef Louis Pechan, the collaboration of fabulous event professionals (led by event planner Mary Sushinski from Occasions) made the evening truly one-of-a-kind

Calligraphy Katrina and Masion du Papieri designs gorgeous invitations, menus and escort cards

The Ebell Lounge

Chuppah designed by Jackie Combs Floral Design

Jennifer of The Mobile Mixtress and Nicole of Dollface Esthetique pamper guests

Commemory Fine Art vibrantly captures the essence of your special day

B&G Photography's beautiful canvases of brides and grooms

The talented Alejandro Lazo is a perfect addition to any cocktail hour

After sipping on French 75′s and sampling hors d’oeuvres in the Art Salon (more on food and drink elements in parts 2 and 3 of this series), guests moved into the Dining Room where they sat down to relax and enjoy a selection of starter salads and entrees from Executive Chef Louis Pechan while music from DJ Nahchey set a cool vibe.  Somehow, we left room for dessert, a towering decadence from Superfine Bakery.

The Ebell Dining Room

Centerpieces by Jackie Combs

Chiavari chairs and wooden feasting tables provided by A Rental Connection

Linens and custom table runners provided by Elegant Design Specialty Linen

G2 Audio & Lighting enhances the beauty of the Dining Room with uplighting and gobos

Yummy! Thanks Andrea of Superfine Bakery!

More delicious treats courtesy of Superfine Bakery

A special thank you to all participating vendors who helped make this event possible!

Coordination: Occassions ~ Mary Sushinski and Angela Mitchell
Photography: B&G Photography ~ Jen and Nate Berggren
Calligraphy: Calligraphy Katrina ~ Katrina Centeno
Rentals: A Rental Connection ~ Kristi Schoenrock
Cake: Superfine Bakery ~ Andrea Boudewin
Artist: Commemory Fine Art ~ Bethany Thomas
Floral Design: Jackie Combs Floral Design
DJ: Dash Entertainment ~ DJ Nahchey
Guitarist: Lazo Guitar ~ Alejandro Lazo
Lighting: G2 Audio and Lighting ~ Brian So
Linens/Chairs: Elegant Designs ~ Jannette Galindo
Favors: Mobile Mistress ~ Jennifer Hardaway
Spa Treatment: Dollface Esthetique ~ Nicole Vaisman
Videography ~ Charles Lauren Films ~ David and Kelsey Pluskat

The Ebell Garden

Want to see the event in action??!  Check out the fabulous video summary from Charles Lauren Films!!

Happy Saint Paddy’s Day to you!!

“Top o’ the flowers to you…!”

The West Coast Premiere of “8″

The American Foundation For Equal Rights & Broadway Impact Present "8"

It was a star studded night last Saturday at The Ebell of Los Angeles for the West Coast premiere of Dustin Lance Black’s play “8.”  Produced by the American Foundation for Equal Rights and directed by Rob Reiner, the cast included an insane amount of talent: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Christine Lahti, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Colfer, Matthew Morrison, George Takei -  just to name a few of the amazing talent that graced the Wilshire Ebell Theatre’s stage that evening.

For a very limited time, you can watch the incredible performances on YouTube, or visit AFER’s flickr account for pictures of the all star cast walking the red carpet in the Ebell garden.

Congratulations to AFER and the cast and crew of this monumental performance.  It was an honor and privilege to be home for this event.

“Doin’ It For Love,” a Broadway Style Tribute Benefiting PETA

This Friday, March 9th and Saturday March 10th, The Wilshire Ebell Theatre welcomes Doin’ It For Love, a Broadway-style tribute to musical theater and New York City cabaret.

Hollywood and Broadway award-winners Kaye Ballard, Liliane Montevecchi, and Lee Roy Reams star in the show, also featuring a 10-piece orchestra conducted onstage by David Geist, the show’s music director.  The shows benefit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal’s (PETA) Investigations and Rescue Fund.

Both shows begin at 7:30pm.  Tickets are being sold exclusively through Ticketmaster.