The 10th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books takes place Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 24, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., on UCLA’s campus. The two-day event celebrates and animates the written word through panel discussions, poetry readings, cooking demonstrations, book signings and music. The Festival affords book lovers the chance to meet best-selling authors, publishers and other literary figures. The hundreds of exhibitor booths, stage events and popular children’s characters keep it entertaining for all ages.

Contemporary Art Projects Present

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BYRON SPICER: MOSAIC

April 22 – 26, Farmani Gallery

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Artist Reception To Be Held on Friday, April 22 From 7 – 10PM

& Saturday, April 23 From 6 – 9PM

(Los Angeles, CA) – Curated by Contemporary Art Projects, Byron Spicer: Mosaic will highlight alluring collages composed of hundreds of small paintings that promise to leave viewers with an overall sense of physical and psychological density. This one-week special engagement will take place April 22 – 26 at the Farmani Gallery, located at 844 S. Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Spicer’s work explores categorization, contradictions and coincidences through the creation and assemblage of visual poems or fugues of cartoon-like people, flying imaginary creatures, animated architecture, austere landscapes and elements from nature. After amassing these vivid 2”x2” paintings, Spicer assembles them adjacent to and atop one another on one panel, arranging them as a floating abstraction that servers as a playground for the imagination. Sizes of the work from the flat mosaic series range from eleven inches to approximately 4 feet square. Each piece is painted with acrylic on acid free paper and fastened individually to a wood panel with tiny nails, materials that explore the temporal quality to which all art, as well as all ideas, is subject. The show will open with a two-night artist reception on April 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. and on April 23 from 6 to 9 p.m.

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The public is invited to attend the artist receptions on both nights at the Farmani Gallery. Following the event, the gallery will resume its regular hours scheduled on Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment. For private preview appointments or additional information on the exhibition, please contact Stacey Cavin of Contemporary Art Projects at 818.632.6788 or visit www.contemporaryartprojects.com.

by Don Rose

(April 21, 2005 -- Hollywood CA) "It Knows". That simple yet ingenious phrase serves as the slogan for the latest advanced automotive navigation system from Pioneer Electronics - which launched tonight with a swanky/fun Hollywood soiree, smack in the new heart of Tinseltown: the Hollywood and Highland nexus (at the Montmartre Lounge, to be exact). Attendees enjoyed trying out the new nav system firsthand, which could have directed you to the party in no time thanks to features like live traffic updates, multiple map-zoom levels, and the ability to find the path of "least resistance" to route you around bad jams. Nothing but good jams at this party, however, as the crowded house drank fine Patron libations, enjoyed delicious Wolfgang Puck catered cuisine, and savored scintillating conversation as well as titillating gyrations (on the dancefloor, which was constantly packed, thanks in part to a great pair of DJs -- DJ JUS SKE & DJ AM -- who blended 80's tunes and current faves with smooth style).

Several celebs turned out to party, including event-co-hosts Adrian Greiner, Carmen Electra (looking quite svelte and sexy) and Molly Sims (popquiz: can you name a magazine that does not have her image in it?!) -- plus Dave Navarro, Paris Hilton (who came with fellow lanky blonde Kimberly Stewart (Rod's daughter)), Jeremy Piven, Mark McGrath, and many more.

Others in attendance included Abi, a great new designer whose fashions graced the NEXT fashion show earlier this year (she and her friends were sporting her stylin summery styles tonight). Also enjoyed running into Justin Gunn, a cool tech guy who has hosted a series of hip TV shows about cyber culture (shows like CNET Central, The Web, stuff for TechTV, etc.) -- and is now involved with a new channel (backed by Al Gore, inventor-well-not-really of the Internet) called CURRENT -- which plans, among other things, to have a "Google-Current News" segment that will relay top news based on what people are searching for on Google (so don't be surprised if the top story often involves Jennifer Love Hewitt's top). Look for the new net to debut in a few months.

Overall, this was one great party, on many levels (literally) -- the three level setting was perfect to enjoy dancing and revelry indoors as well as the delightful night outside. Yet another excellent event from the folks at Fingerprint Communications -- who recently threw another stellar celeb-studded soiree for Details Magazine at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which is also having a resurgence, thanks to a makeover (ok, remodelling) and the general renaissance of Hollywood Blvd. The LaBrea-to-Vine strip now beats most streets in LA as the happening place to party. Sure, you may find it hard to park, but thanks to Pioneer's intelligent navigation system, at least it won't be hard to get there.

It's almost here! A TASTE OF L.A. SHANTI:
AN EVENING OF WINE, FOOD & AUCTION
Join Honorary Chairs
David and Michelle Myers
Chef/Owners, Sona and Boule
A night of
Hollywood nostalgia...
¦ Exceptional Wine
¦ Exquisite Food
¦ Extraordinary Auction

$95 in advance includes all
food and wine tasting, as well
as a limited edition wine glass
and tasting tray.
Corporate promotional
opportunities are available.

All proceeds benefit L.A. Shanti, the first
nonprofit organization to provide direct
services to people living with and affected
by HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles. Today, the
agency offers free emotional support
and education to people from
diverse communities affected by
HIV/AIDS, cancer and other
life-threatening illnesses.

A TASTE OF L.A. SHANTI
AN EVENING OF WINE, FOOD & AUCTION
www.lashanti.org
(323) 962-8197 ext. 315
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2005
6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. Be there!

The Beverly Hills Film Festival invites you to their 5th Year Anniversary held in April 13th-17th, 2005. Over the run of the festival, an array of events will take place, including Opening Day festivities, screenings, Guild & Society sponsored panel discussions, networking events, and after-parties.

The Awards Night Gala will be held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Blvd.

See www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com for festival info and updates.
The current agenda looks as follows (from the above site):

Beverly Hills Film Festival April 13th – 17th, 2005 - Beverly Hills, CA.
“A Collection of Films Uniting The World of Independent Cinema”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 – OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION

WRITERS GUILD THEATER135 S. Doheny DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90210

6:30 PM Doors

7:00 PM BHFF Salutations: HONORS TO CALFORNIA FILM COMMISSION

7:30 PM OPENING N IGHT FILMMr. DramaticHouse Of D

9:00 PM VIP By Invite Only After-Party

Sponsored By:

PREMIERE MAGAZINE, RENAISSANCE HOTELS & RESORTS, MICHELOB LIGHT (ANHEUSER-BUSCH)

LUCE301 N. Canon RoadBeverly Hills, CA 90210

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

CLARITY THEATER 100 N. Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Block 1 6:00 PM Prey American Reunion

Block 2 8:00 PM IntimationsBlue In Green

Block 3 Shorts: Drama Series 10:00 PM DelusionBetrunnerSleeping Dogs BePatchDelirium

9:00 PM After-party atClarity Theater Courtyard100 N. Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14

CLARITY THEATER 100 N. Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Block 1 6:00 PM Stephen King's Lucky QuarterThere's Something About MerylMartyThe StrangerVolare

Block 2 8:00 PM Shorts: Comedy SeriesFight Of The FlyThe 73 VirginsThe Carpenter and His Clumsy WifeChaos TheoryScrambled Eggs

Block 3 10:00 PM Fellini's DonutMaster Of Everything

9:00 PM After-Party atLoews Beverly Hills1224 South Beverwil DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90035

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FRIDAY, APRIL 15

CLARITY THEATER & COURTYARD100 N. Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210

SEMINAR: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Independent Film Financing & Distribution

SEMINAR: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM SCREENWRITERS CHAT presented by the WGAw Independent Film Program

Block 1 6:00 PM Shorts: Comedy SeriesStop ThiefBehind The CurtainThe Tao of PongGidoo's Cosmic CrisisFallen ArtCatching KringleAl Roach: Private Insectigator

Block 2 8:00 PM Hooray 4 EverythingThe Adventures of Big Handsome Guy and His Little FriendEasy Six

Block 3 10:00 PM Shorts Program: World SeriesBeverly Hills StandoffIn The MorningAchtPactKarmaCanta

9:00 PM After-Party atThe Mosaic Hotel125 Spalding DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90212

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SATURDAY, APRIL 16

CLARITY THEATER & COURTYARD100 N. Crescent Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Block 1 - Documentary I 10:00 AM Citizen StanSixty Spins Around The Sun

SEMINAR: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM THE ART OF CINEMATOGRAPHY hosted by the ASC

Block 2 - Documentary II 12:00 PM JoeyWaking Up Dead

Block 3 - Documentary III 2:00 PM Parents of the YearKordavision

SEMINAR: 2:00 PM -3:30 PM ACTORS STUDIO hosted by SAGIndie

Block 4 4:00 PM World CrisisTaharaThe Oil Factor: Behind the War on Terror

SEMINAR: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM THE RISE OF HYBRID CINEMATOGRAHY hosted by the ASC

Block 5 6:00 PM FlypaperClean

Block 6 8:00 PM CLOSING NIGHT FEATUREThe Aryan Couple

Block 7 10:00 PM Trip in a Summer DressIndigo Hearts

9:00 PM After-Party atLuce301 N. Canon Road Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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SUNDAY, APRIL 17

Award Ceremony

BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL 9641 Sunset Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90210

6:00 PM Doors6:30 PM Cocktail Reception7:00 PM Seating & Dinner7:30 PM Award Ceremony

9:00 PM After-Party atThe Crescent Hotel403 N. Crescent DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90210

The Stas Namin Center (SNC) and Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation Announce the Third Annual Russian Nights Festival in Los Angeles April 3-10, 2005

RUSSIAN NIGHTS: A Cultural Experience will be held in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Russian Nights promotes a better understanding of the major contributions that Russian artists have made and continue to make to the international community. The opening ceremonies of the festival will include the participation of city representatives and celebrities.

Russian Nights will offer a variety of cultural experiences: poetry and literature, lectures on Russian arts and history, classical, jazz, rock, and ethnic music, and the screening of movies from both prominent and emerging filmmakers. The Art Hall will house “Art Constitution: the First Illustrated Constitution of Russia” – modern Russian artists’ interpretations of the Post Soviet Constitution Articles of 1993.

The festival opening features the Hollywood premiere of The Tuner, the latest film by the modern classic Kira Muratova and introduced by the starring actresses - Alla DEMIDOVA and Renata LITVINOVA. The program includes notable Russian movies made this year and in 2004. The Los Angeles premiere of Harvest Time by Marina Razbezkina, A Driver for Vera by Pavel Chukhrai, and Father by Vladmir Mashkov, are just a few of the fine films to be screened. Well known Russian actors and Directors will be present to introduce films and perform readings.

<>Russian cinematography celebrates two jubelees in 2005. The 85th birthday anniversary of film director Mikhail SHVEITSER and the 100th birthday anniversary of Grigory KOZINTSEV are marked by the screenings of Roll on Time! and King Lear.

An archive exhibit of materials from the Moscow Museum of Cinema is dedicated to these masters and will be displayed at the festival.

As part of the Russian Nights Festival, Yuri Temirkanov will be performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Philharmonic and the famous Russian chamber ensemble, the Borodin Quartet, will perform at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on April 9th.

Top Russian Jazz musicians Georgy Garanian and Alexei Zubov with be joined by other eminent jazzmen at the La Ve Lee Jazz Club. More music will be hosted at the Pacific Design Center.

The third annual Tower Award will be presented during the festival to American personalities beloved in Russia. Some past recipients include Leonardo Di Caprio, Sharon Stone, Dustin Hoffman, and Ray Bradbury.

Russian Nights is sponsored in part by LA Weekly, Panorama Media, Rodnik Vodka, Movieline’s Hollywood Life magazine, the National Bartenders School, and the Pacific Design Center.

For more festival details please call 310.712.2651. Tickets may be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 866.468.3399. Further information: 212-399-0002, 212-404-4444, or 011-7-095-237-1088. The Festival is supported by The East West Foundation for Culture and Education & The Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography of the Russian Federation.

Parlor Performances @ Steinway Hall presents... APRIL FOOLERY: An Evening of Comedy, Cabaret and Catharsis! * Friday, April 1st at 8pm.

Special guest appearances by singing satirists Roy Zimmerman and Marie Cain, comic cabaret diva Shelly Goldstein, political satirist Darryl Henriques, and others TBA. And here is a unique offer I can't recall seeing anywhere else: you, yes YOU, can even get in on the act!!l 3-minute spots for the first three people to reserve tickets who'd like to do a comic song or comedy bit!

To RSVP or for more information: Jeannine Frank * frankent1@juno.com * (310) 471-3979. Note: Only 100 seats, so act fast. Price: $20 ($15 with RSVP 5 days or more in advance!). You can pay by cash or check at the door. Location: STEINWAY HALL at FIELDS PIANOS * 12121 Pico Bl. (a few feet w. of Bundy) in West LA * 100-seat hall on Lower Level P2 -- also available for your special events! * Free parking in covered lot.

COMING SOON in future Parlor Performances: Singing satirist Roy Zimmerman (new show!), classical pianist-comic Dale Gonyea, pianist/improvisor Richard Grayson, cabaret divas Shelly Goldstein and Amanda Abel, comedian Jackie Kashian, John Crowther's "Evening with Frank Lloyd Wright" and more.