Theatre Wish Fulfilled: Gift of Funds for Marly Dance Floor

Garden Statue

Along with Theatre Chair Loyce Braun and the Theatre committee, I am happy and especially gratified to share with you news of a generous gift from our former President of the Ebell and long-serving Boardmember, Betty Jean Shea.

Betty Jean has donated $5000 to the Ebell for the purchase of a portable Marly dance floor for the theatre, an item which has been on the theatre “wish list” in the Bulletin for several years. The gift was made in honor of June Walters, who like Betty Jean herself, served tirelessly as Chair of the Theatre. June researched and then supervised the redecorating of the Theatre  that resulted in the color scheme we see in the Theatre today.  Betty Jean has stipulated that a plaque stating that a gift to the Theatre, made in June’s memory,  should be placed in the Theatre.  She has also offered two Angel collages made by June to be displayed with the plaque. These lovely collages were made from ecclesiastical fabrics which June collected over the years and reflect her personal and professional passion for the preservation of antique textiles. They will together make a handsome addition to the second floor lobby of the Theatre.

Though the Theatre has recently received significant investment from the Club in order to provide a vitally necessary wheel-chair accessible bathroom, Betty Jean Shea’s personal generosity is especially welcome in that the purchase of a portable dance floor allows us to enhance the capabilities of the Theatre in its true purpose as a performance space.

Warmly and with great appreciation,

Shirlee Taylor Haizlip, President  and Loyce Braun, Theatre Chair

Summer’s Bounty

Don’t miss any of summer’s harvest even if you don’t get to your local Farmer’s market. Just sign up for a weekly box of fresh organic vegies and fruit that you pick up every Wednesday afternoon at the Ebell. Just another great reason to be a member.

Click here and read an NPR story about how people all over the country are eating healthier and supporting their local farmers.

Oh, The Things You Can Do With A Farm-Share Box by NICOLE SPIRIDAKIS

Bard and Butter — A Play in the Garden

Please join us for this delightful event for guests of all ages.

The Los Angeles Drama club is the youngest troupe in the country. The families of the players attend 4 schools in the area. The entertainment is an interactive drama night with a guessing game and even a bonus round.

Come after work and enjoy a signature cocktail both with and with out booze. The price includes a three course meal.  The event begins at 5 pm, you will be out by 8!

Amy Vuckovich, has been working the hot glue making wonderful prizes for the games we will play.

Call the club to reserve tickets 323-931-1277 or reserve online at http://www.ebelleventtickets.com/

50% off Tickets to “Having it All” Musical

Hello Ebell Members!

My good friend has introduced me to a new musical that we both think Ebell members will love.  She’s extending a special 50% off ticket price promotion to our membership. The musical opened to rave reviews and is called  ”Having it All.”   It is about five 40-ish women who, when stuck together at an airport, examine their lives and choices in ways that are both funny and heart-breaking, in performances that are hailed as “mesmerizing.” My friend has gone with several different groups of girlfriends and they have all loved it! Below is a link to the gushing review from the LA Times, and also, how to buy tickets (which are a bargain at $40 each). Also below is the website for purchasing tickets, and if you enter promo code “BEST,” you will receive 50% off (limited promo seats at each performance). Hurry! The show closes at the end of the month!

Questions? contact me @ rebecca.hutchinson@gmail.com

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/theater-review-having-it-all-at-the-noho-arts-center.html

“Having it All,” NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood.  8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 pm, plus, 3 p.m. on Saturdays. $40. (323) 960-7776. www.plays411.com/havingitall.  Running time:  1 hour, 35 minutes

Memories of a Black Swan

Yesterday at Monday Lunch, it seemed as if all the Ebell  ladies and some of their guests who came to hear Adrienne Sharp talk about her book, The True Memoirs of Little K, had once been aspiring ballerinas. In honor of the occasion, the Ebell President even wore a black velvet, floral headband, sprinkled with a few rhinestones. Sharp, whose book was selected as one of Oprah’s “ten best reads” last fall,  had studied with the Harkness Ballet in New York. But she gave up ballet to go to college, teach English and have a writing career. Ms. Sharp gave a lively presentation punctuated with historical photos of Little K who was the mistress of Nicholas II, the last Czar of Russia.

Sharp revealed that her novel was an inspired combination of fact and fiction, all based on her historical research.  She shared photos of the Russian ballet corps of that period. The dancers were much shorter and heavier than today’s lithe figures.  It was a common practice, said Sharp, for the male members of the Royal Court to have liaisons with the leading ballerinas of the day. One such, “Little K,” as the Czar called her, was said to have had several children, including a son by Nicholas II.

Sharp reported that the practice of bestowing gifts of fabulous jewelry on the dancers was an expected part of the relationships.  And the custom was to wear all of the jewelry at the same time! The most conspicuous gift that Little K received from the Czar was a diamond necklace with each stone being as large as a walnut.

The gorgeous pink and white flowers on each table and the charming note of affection contributed by Lachter in honor of his wife, past President Kay Lachter, added a nice reality touch to the story. You will have to call me to find out the message!

Shirlee Taylor Haizlip, President

Sunday Filled with Music and Praise

Sunday brought some Ebell members to Holman Methodist Church where they heard the Ebell praised and recognized for it’s philanthropic outreach. Gospel music filled the church as well as a modern dance number performed in long, royal blue flowing,dresses. President Haizlip was asked to speak about the Ebell mission and joined the other clubs being recognized for a meet and greet reception in the church’s multi purpose room. Also honored that day were The Lullaby Guild and The League of Allied Arts. Board Treasurer, Phyllis Fields helped to tell the Ebell story to all who stopped by the Ebell table. The entire proceedings were aired live on radio station KJLH.

From church and in the pouring rain, Shirlee went to the Ebell to hear The Doctors Symphony present young pianists, ranging in age from 9 to 18, who had distinguished themselves in the Robert Turner Piano Competition.  They joined  the Orchestra in presenting Bach and Beethoven keyboard and piano concertos. Joe Braun, husband of Board Member Loyce Braun, is a percussionist with the Orchestra which rehearses weekly at the Ebell.  Despite the heavy rain, the Salon was full of excited guests.  Kelley Nelson brought her two young daughters as did Linda Dean whose daughter was a long time friend of one of the performers. Past President Kay Lachter, who made a gift to restore the Lounge’s Steinway grand piano, listened intently to the results of her donation. The glorious sound of symphonic music washed through the Lounge and reached up to surround those who chose to sit on the balcony. No one wanted the sublime concert to end!

Shirlee Taylor Haizlip

 

PLAYdate Delights Ebell Members and Guests

Those of you who missed PLAYdate’s reading of the new musical,  ”Come Get Maggie”, now have a gap in your cultural exposure. It was a joyful, cheerful and endearing experience. The singing and acting were first rate, the talented cast was enormously appealing. The event set up was great taking the audience from the first floor Art Salon, to the Third Floor Performing Art Space back down to a fine dinner by Executive Chef Lewis Pechan.  The room was alive with the cast making their rounds of the tables and an excited buzz with instant reviews of the fifties themed story. New member Cynthia Comsky promises more readings to come.

Shirlee Taylor Haizlip, President

Ebell Scholars Breakfast

 

If you attended the breakfast colloquium of the Ebell Scholars this morning at the Ebell Club, depending on your generation you would have rated it, “awesome”, “cool” or “inspirational” and  “moving.”

Five Scholars reported on the progress of their year as they move to the next level or to graduation.  One, Jason Barca, a pre-pharmacy major who just learned he had been accepted at what is billed  the “top pharmacy school in the country” told of his experiments in altering DNA with electrical charges.  A second student from Harvey Mudd, Steve Matsumoto,  reported on a course-related trip to England featuring places  written about by Charles Dickens in his various novels, which the students who took the trip were required to read.  A third, Rebecca Estrada, a student at UCLA and the student-mother of three daughters, recounted how her life’s experience as a teenage mother informed her career choice.  She had just learned she had been accepted at the UCLA Medical School. Whimsy” was the word appropriate for the robot tool carrier designed and on display by Otis Parsons industrial arts major, Rian Capaci. Another scholar from Otis, Amy Fortunato, described herself as an orphan who knew nothing about her biological parents, displayed an exquisite hand made book she created to express identity and personal connections. A graphic design major with an interest in typography, she also shared another hand made book and portfolio of posters.

Joining me in the audience  of this annual event were Ebell Board members including the presiding officer of the event, Harriette Williams, Scholarship Committee Chair, Kay Lachter, Past President of the Ebell and Chair of the Breakfast, Board Members Esme Fraser, Anne Luke and Patty Lombard,  members of the Scholarship Committee including Gloria Droguett, Dennee Frey and Helen Ketch, and Ebell Member  Jane Gilman, Editor of the Larchmont Chronicle.

The Ebell Scholarship Committee awards 100 Scholarships each year ranging from $2500  upwards and repeats the awards for up to five years in total.  This year there are 58 scholars, more than half of whom will graduate so the Ebell Scholarship Committee will soon begin reviewing applications for next year’s scholars.

All of this year’s scholars noted that they would not have been able to do what they were doing in school without the Ebell Scholarship. For all of them, the scholarship funds allowed them to go to attend school without having a job which meant they could study more, be more engaged with their school and have time to give back to their communities.  It was a morning that made me feel grateful to be an Ebell member.

– Shirlee Taylor Haizlip

Consular Ball Brings New Friends to Ebell

Sally Oren, the graciously charming and attractve wife of Michael Oren, Israeli Ambassador to the United States, popped in today to visit with President Shirlee Haizlip at the Ebell and to tour the Club and Theatre as well as to hear about its history. The visit came at the suggestion of Israeli Consul Dayan and his wife who recently attended the Ebell Consular Ball. The Dayans, who raved about the Club said it was a “must see” for women’s history and social progress, sat with the Haizlips at the dinner.

Accompanied by her sister in law and a retinue of young Consulate aides, Sally was immensely interested in the Ebell story since she had grown up and been educated in America, as had her husband. She was keenly interested in the Theatre and lingered attentively outside the Perforrming Arts Space on the third floor of the main building to hear the singing of a haunting number being performed by a Broadway actress in the final run-through for the musical reading of “Come Get Maggie,” the first PLAYdate, a series of play readings being brought to the Club by new member, producer Cynthia Comsky. It turns out that Sally had been a modern dancer.

Who knew? Some of her retinue from the Consulate asked for membership applications which Shirlee gladly supplied.

“Maggie” goes up tomorrow for one night only. The performance and dinner following have been sold out for two weeks.

– Shirlee Taylor Haizlip, President

Stephen Orr on Tomorrow’s Garden: Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening

The Ebell of Los Angeles is delighted to partner with the The Garden Conservancy to present

Stephen Orr on Tomorrow’s Garden: Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening

With a keen eye for aesthetics matched by a strong concern for the environment, garden expert Stephen Orr has developed a sense of what a modern garden should be: manageable, visually pleasing, and responsible. He will present an array of gardens throughout America that have been scaled back and simplified without sacrificing beauty or innovative design.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
At the Ebell of Los Angeles

6 p.m. Reception, book sale, and signing
7 p.m. Illustrated talk

$35 General admission
$30 Members of the Garden Conservancy and the Ebell of Los Angeles

Register online or call 845.265.2029 (Cold Spring, NY) to order by phone. For more information, visit gardenconservancy.org.

Ebell Members may register through the Ebell by calling 323-931-1277 ext 131 or by emailing tickets@ebellla.com or by visiting our new ticketing website at www.ebelleventtickets.com

Stephen Orr is the editorial director of gardens for Martha Stewart Omnimedia, and the author of Tomorrow’s Garden: Design and Inspiration for a New Age of Sustainable Gardening (Rodale Press, 2011). He was the former garden editor at Domino and House & Garden magazines and has written for various publications, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He lives in New York City and the Catskills.

The Ebell of Los Angeles is an educational and philanthropic organization with the motto “I Will Find a Way or Make One—I Serve.” Founded by women in 1894, the mission is to participate in and encourage the educational, cultural and social growth of the diverse Los Angeles community. The Ebell administers a college scholarship program for women and men and provides grants to organizations assisting women in need. It also maintains and preserves its arts collections and its historic Clubhouse and Wilshire Ebell Theatre. For more information, visit Ebellla.com.