Venice Beach, CA: Santa Monica and Venice Beach Adventure

Venice Beach, CA

And we joined a drum circle :)

And then walked back

Got some dinner and coffee along the way

  Coffee Stop  

Santa Monica Pier at night.

YWCA Rhapsody Ball

This was a neat event that I was lucky to have the privilege to attend.  It was a Benefit Ball, with tickets ranging from $200-300 a pop.  Someone bought a table, and donated it to some volunteers.  The ball was held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in Beverly Hills.  We ate fancy, drank wine, danced, and laughed the night away.  Great night. 

Sparkly Toms :)

 

New Orleans, LA: Music

These artists were everywhere, and had a different style from other locals. 

While my party rested for the day, I walked around the city and explored.  That day I walked through the art exhibits, met artists, discussed New Orleans with them, and admired there work.  Then I made my to Cafe du Monde, grabbed some Café au Lait and Beignets, and listened to the band play.  I guess my expression showed my love for music, because the singer ended up dedicating a song to me, and finding me after to apologize if I was embarrassed.   I ended up talking to him and another street artist for awhile, although mostly the other artist.  I learned their background story, how they made it to New Orleans, military past, etc.  They shared with me their street experiences, and even Katrina.  Later on in the day, I saw all of these band players wandering the corners, playing their own instruments for money.   

When I came, I had hoped that I would find Grandpa Elliot.  I had heard him sing via Playing for Change, and I new that he was from New Orleans.  I remember walking down of the streets, telling my step-mom that he was one musician I really hoped to run into, and literally, right as I finished that sentence, we turned the corner, and there he was.  I saw him twice while there, this was my second, and he sang for me... after telling another man that listenin' to dis music, gonna give you an eargasm.