LA Woman Photography

Tony Hawk Foundation: Stand Up For Skateparks 2011

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Christy Borgman

2011 DaGeDar Presents Stand Up For Skateparks, benefiting the Tony Hawk Foundation, 10/2/11 at the home of Ron Burkle, Green Acres Estate, in Beverly Hills, California.

The Tony Hawk Foundation was established in 2002 by professional skateboarder Tony Hawk to promote and provide funds for high-quality public skateparks in low-income areas. On October 2, 2011, 1000 guests attended the 8th annual “Stand Up For Skateparks” and raised $755,000 through a silent and live auction. This year’s event included a special Pledge Drive for a skatepark in Canoga Park, California.

Not only did the Black Keys perform, guests in attendance also got to watch a Vert Demo featuring Tony and top skaters and BMX athletes, including Shaun White, Mat Hoffman, Bucky Lasek, Mitchie Brusco, and Lincoln Ueda!

If you weren’t to attend, but want to help out this great cause, donations are still being excepted. Through the end of October, contribute $300 or more to the skatepark effort in Canoga Park, California and receive an autographed Tony Hawk skateboard deck. See the video about this project and make your contribution at www.skatecanogapark.org.

Photos of some of the athletes, musicians, actors and artists who came out to support the effort:

More photos HERE

Posted in benefit | Tagged Jamie Lee Curtis, Kat Von D, stand up for skateparks, Tony Hawk, tony hawk foundation | Leave a comment

The 7th Annual Johnny Ramone Tribute 10-1-11

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Christy Borgman

Hundreds of people came out for the 7th Annual tribute for Johnny Ramone yesterday at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Indie 103’s Joe Escalante hosted the event and special guests included Tommy Ramone, The Misfits, Rob Vannice from JuiceheaD, and Jeff McDonald. We were treated to some new music off of the Misfits soon to be released album, The Devil’s Rain (in stores October 4, 2011).

Also in attendance were Steve Jones, John Frusciante, Duff McKagan, Rosanna Arquette and of course, Linda Ramone. After the sunset, there was a double feature screening of Plan 9 From Outer Space in 3D and live concert footage of the Ramones from “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert”. It was a great celebration for the life and music of Johnny Ramone.

More photos HERE

Posted in tribute | Tagged hollywood forever, Johnny Ramone, The Misfits, tribute | Leave a comment

Under the Big Black Sun: California Art 1974–1981

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Christy Borgman

Last night, I attended the The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA for the members opening of Under the Big Black Sun: California Art 1974–1981. The exhibit is an interesting collection of art, political documents and video from California during a turbulent time in our country’s history. I’m going back to revisit once I have more time. As someone born in the mid seventies, I don’t have many vivid memories of this period. There were many pieces that I would have liked to spend more time reviewing.

Complementing the evening perfectly, Guest DJ Henry Rollins, played a great mix of punk and rock songs from the era. The exhibit runs though February 13, 2012.

Posted in art, culture | Tagged Henry Rollins, los angeles, MOCA, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Under the Big Black Sun, Under the Big Black Sun: California Art 1974-1981 | Leave a comment

30th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Christy Borgman

The 30th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival is taking place this weekend, September 24-25, 2011. Attendance is free and there is free valet parking on Graham Ave. But, bring some cash because there are lots of great vendors and a food court. Tours of the Watts Towers are available for only $7.

Posted in art, culture, festival, music | Tagged Sam Rodia, Simon Rodia, watts towers, Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival | Leave a comment

Alice Cooper Whisky a Go Go

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Christy Borgman

Alice Cooper. At the Whisky A Go Go. On the Sunset Strip. For the first time in 42 years! For me, it was a legendary concert before it even began. A capacity crowd packed into the club just after 8PM, excited to be a part of history. KLOS program director, Bob Buchmann and the best DJ on the planet, Jim Ladd, came onto the stage first to welcome us. Then, appropriately enough, Rob Zombie, came out to welcome Alice.

Alice Cooper and his band hit the stage running with a blistering cover of Train Kept a Rollin’ and it just kept getting better from there…in between Brown Sugar and Muscle of Love, they played a new song called I’ll Bite Your Face Off, which fit really well in the set.

A little bit later in the set, Alice announced that a special guest was coming to the stage; someone who was in the original house band of the Whisky. That of course could only mean one thing- someone from the Doors was about to come out! Robby Krieger! They played Break on Through and Back Door Man. During Back Door Man, someone from the audience handed Alice a floppy black hat. It reminded me of the black hat (minus the skull) that Jim Morrison wore in Miami, and vocally, Alice seemed to channel Jim as soon as he put that hat on!

The last surprise of the night came when a woman wearing leopard pants and an Alice mask came onstage. Of came the mask and there was Ke$ha to join them in performing School’s Out. She took swigs from a bottle of Jack Daniels and poured some into the audience too.

Below are some photos I took. More can be seen on my website HERE