Latest Headlines
0

A Snap shot in Time: Half an hour at a Party in the Hollywood Hills

Posted in: Articles
Before the party started: Porch of a friend's house in the Hollywood Hills

Before the party started: Porch of a friend's house in the Hollywood Hills

What would Hollywood be without its parties? It would be a boring piece of land.

So, it is a good thing, that there are more than enough occasions to get together — Independence Day, for example. It is one of the few holidays where offices and (most of the) stores remain closed. Many Americans invite friends over for a barbecue and enjoying the fireworks in the evening.
It makes sense to accept an invitation to the Hollywood Hills.

Hollywood wouldn’t be Hollywood without the colorful personalities you meet at parties:
Cindy is a blond, tanned career woman in her late Thirties. The attractive real estate agent showed up in a casual look, with white shorts and a pink shirt. Cindy is loud. She prefers women as partners, and one can’t ignore that, because her female physique is contrary to her masculine manner. This woman doesn’t take any shit. Most men will be cautious in her vicinity, since you can’t pluck Cindy like an apple: “I enjoy life and utilize its opportunities. But I am the one, who wears the pants, there is no other way,” she says, laughing with a twinkle in her eye while she takes a big sip of her vodka lemon.

Fireworks 4th of July

Fireworks 4th of July

Lyman is a veteran in Hollywood. The white-haired, tall actor has appeared in more than hundred films and TV series, among them leading roles in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Bonanza, Kojak and The A-Team in the original version of 1986. He is 71, but appears much younger. Lyman is not a person who usually hangs out at parties, but this time, he gave in to the coaxing of his friends and stopped by for a while. Hollywood, so he says, treated him well. He can understand that young actors become disillusioned nowadays. There is one phenomenon he knows very well: sometimes, there is nothing to do for 2 months, and then, suddenly, you get 10 different offers at the same time. Lyman seems balanced and content with his life.

Terrance is a screen writer and director of Independent movies. The forty year old African American impresses with an amazing knowledge about history and mythology.

California–he quotes one of the theories of how this state received its name–was named after an amazon, who still gets depicted on art work and is considered to be the spirit of California. This amazon was first described in a novel, written in the early 15 hundreds, before the discovery of California, by the Spaniard Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo.

Mural of Queen Calafia and her Amazons in the Room of the Dons at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco

Mural of Queen Calafia and her Amazons in the Room of the Dons at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco


According to the saga, beautiful black amazones would rule a mythological island north of Mexico that had a rich resource of gold. They commanded an aerial defense force of 500 griffins, fabulous animals which, according to the saga, were native to California.

The name of their queen was Calafia — and “California” was the island she reigned over with her women warriors.

Cindy laughs out loud approvingly.

1

Dating in the U.S.

Posted in: Articles


Dieser Artikel erschien am 2. Juli 2011 in der “Neuen Westfälischen Zeitung”.
This article was published in the German newspaper “Neue Westfälische Zeitung” on July 2, 2011.

Carola M., (43) a German journalistin and American by choice, was looking for three years for a life partner in Los Angeles, but to no avail: “I don’t know if it is only like this in L.A., but every man I met didn’t get back to me after a couple of weeks. We had the best times and then it suddenly stopped. I didn’t understand the world any more.”

Carola met her dates mostly through dating web sites — nowadays choice of the available American. “Are you on match dot com?” is the question friends ask each other. It’s very comprehensible that the internet is the tool of choice for a woman in America, since More…!

2

A Virtual Trip to Death Valley National Park

Posted in: Dana's Column

I got something that might be interesting for people who love exploring nature parks in the U.S.

Some of you know that I also work as a voice actress. A short while ago, I voiced More…!

0

Talented: The Paintings of Simrit Kaur

Posted in: Interviews
"Rest" by Anastasia Simrit Kaur

"Rest" by Anastasia Simrit Kaur

In my dealings with painters I have learned that there is one vital difference in the expression of mainstream and spiritually oriented art: “normal” art wants to leave interpretation up to the viewer — and the artist sometimes even plays diva, questioning the viewer’s ability to think for himself when he is being asked to explain ‘the meaning?’

Spiritual oriented art always has a clear, unapologetic goal. This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other: art always has the ability to influence society by giving new perspectives; it influences the mind. Art per se is therefore always something that is spiritual.

Maybe we can agree on the notion that art is the most accessible for people when it is done by artists who understand the intention of their works.

I talked to Anastasia Simrit Kaur (26), a young, upcoming Russian-American painter, who has already gained the attention of the spiritual community in L.A.

DANA HEIDNER-KRUEGER: What are you aiming to express with your art?

ANASTASIA SIMRIT KAUR: My goal with all my art is to bring a healing energy to the space it is in; each piece has a name that specifies its extra function: some pieces are meant to evoke meditation, some to evoke relaxation, some to inspire creativity and passion, some to evoke prosperity.

I really aim to convey a positive emotion. I hope that when looking at the art I’ve made people feel something good, that they enjoy what they see and that it evokes pleasant memories in them. All of the art I make is created in a meditative state, so much so that when a painting is done, I’m not sure how it happened, but there it is!

DANA HEIDNER-KRUEGER: Who influenced your style?

"Deep Sea: explore" by Anastasia Simrit Kaur

"Deep Sea: explore" by Anastasia Simrit Kaur

ANASTASIA SIMRIT KAUR: Where to start… I think I have to give my mom the most credit because she More…!

Tags: , , , ,
0

The new sound of L.A.: Awolnation

Posted in: Dana's Column

I wouldn’t have thought that “Awolnation” would get airtime on an average radio station here in Los Angeles, simply because he is too innovative and not enough mainstream with his mixture of hip-hop/electronic/dance/punk sound. However, last week on my way home, I heard his song “Sail.”

Awolnation consists of Aaron Bruno, a former member of “Under the Influence of Giants.” “Sail” is his first official chart success in the U.S.
The sound reminds me partially of bands like Front 242 from Belgium (“Happiness” and “Headhunter”) and Rammstein: pure, unadulterated ear orgasms for those who can’t stand nursery rhymes when it comes to music.

http://www.awolnationmusic.com‬

Awolnation on iTunes.

Tags: , , , , ,
0

Of Soul and Bums in L.A.

Posted in: Dana's Column


Aloe Blacc, a soul musician and rapper from Los Angeles, is a star in Europe. Last year, his song “I need a Dollar” landed in the German, Austrian and Swiss Top 10. In April this year, the song was released in Great Britain where it immediately rose to number two on the UK Singles Top 10. The lyrics of “I need a Dollar” are about a man who lands on the street and goes begging.

This reminds me of someone who I encountered last week, together with my friend Stacy, in front of my favorite Sushi place: he was dressed in the style of the Blaxploitation Era of the Seventies, complete with hat, suit and freshly polished but worn out shoes. I went inside the restaurant to secure the reservation while Stacy was playing around with her iPhone on the bench in front of the place. When I came out, he was standing there, telling Stacy a story and asking her if he can sing a song. Sly Stacy passed the ball to me, saying: “Ask my girlfriend.” He looked at me expectantly. And I only had one thought: “I want outta here.”

I admit: I am not a fan of spontaneous solos. The imminent thought of having to listen to this guy and being a prisoner of the moment due to my inherent politeness, fulfilled me with so much reluctance that I could only caw: “No, not interested.” Imagine, you have to stand there and listen and then give him a dollar, instead of breaking his heart.
(Which reminds me of my bourgeois, well-bred cousin, playing the violin when she was 12. She didn’t want a dollar, but she wanted praise for her charivari. And a few hours earlier, my cousin from Long Island, visiting Germany, had just returned with a big bag of weed from Amsterdam. Having completely lost his inhibitions, he tried to talk me into a nooner. (I didn’t take the nooner.)

It is definitely cool when someone wants to do something for his money. But whatever I smelled there was clearly bullshit. And the “singer” didn’t like that I rained on his parade; after I declined, he looked like he wanted to strangle me. A master of emotional manipulation.

So, when someone says, like Aloe Blacc does in his lyrics: ”And if I share with you my story would you share your dollar with me [...] I’m looking for somebody come and help me carry this load,” I might give him the dollar, if it feels appropriate, but my ultimate message would be: “Keep the story. Carry your own load; there is no room for your baggage on my back.”

There must be the freedom to decide when to share your time and money; it should not happen out of bad conscience, like you owe someone, simply because you chose to live another life than the person in question. There is only one reason for sharing: because it feels good to you.

By the way, Aloe Blacc has much more in his repertoire than “I Need a Dollar.” Here is one of the best soul songs ever:
The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson ensemble with “Deliver the Word”, featuring Aloe Blacc.

Aloe Blacc on iTunes.

3

Fashion for Rebels

Posted in: Interviews
Collektion "Electro Geisha" - Kat von D's favorite dress

Collektion "Electro Geisha" - Kat von D's favorite dress

Do you know Kat von D, queen of the L.A. tattoo scene? Indeed, the Kat who is now together with Sandra Bullock’s Ex Jesse James. The tattooed-covered beauty is a customer of L.A. fashion designer Pinar Eris. No wonder, after all, Pinar creates interesting fashion that is the epitome of “edgy.”

Pinar (37) is originally from Turkey and has lived in Los Angeles since 1999.

DANA HEIDNER: Was it your dream to be a fashion designer?

PINAR ERIS: It was my childhood dream. Years later I came to the U.S., studied fine arts — and by chance More…!

Tags: , , ,
1

Reminder: Tim Burton’s exhibition

Posted in: Hot Spots

Here comes yet another secret tip far from L.A.’s old tourist paths:
We all know Tim Burton as a producer, screenwriter and director of high grossing films that have also attained cult status, which is an art unto itself. He is known for movies such as Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Sweeney Todd, and just recently his remarkably implemented remake of Alice in Wonderland.

Not everyone knows that More…!

0

Rock from Seattle: Band of Horses

Posted in: Dana's Column

 

Band of Horses is an American rock band from Seattle, founded in 2004.
So far, they have released three studio albums; their last one,
Infinite Arms, is the most successful to date and was
nominated for a Grammy last year.
Currently, they are on tour in Europe.

The song “Dilly” is from the last album. The music video was done
right around the corner of L.A., in the Mohave desert. It is worth
viewing, because it showcases that Seventies biker feeling; and it is
funny, because it’s not often that you see “bad-ass bikers” doing a
cutely choreographed dance. One only feels sorry for that handsome cop
with his amazing butt. (@ 2:15.) I am glad it’s only stage blood and strawberry
marmalade.

Band of Horses on iTunes

Click here for tour dates.

5

The Governator’s Revelation

Posted in: Dana's Column
Schwarzenegger 1984

Schwarzenegger 1984

So, now Schwarzenegger has a new nickname; the U.S. media has dubbed him, “Sperminator.”

If you think about it, that’s not a bad name for the 64-year-old. After all, it promises virility, although admittedly, it doesn’t endorse a disposition for selective breeding; a sperm machine that, in a Terminator-like manner, mows everything into the ground that stands in its way. What can one do when the human race is threatened by extinction?

Hundreds of reporters are now camping in front of the house of the alleged mother-of-the-love-child in the town of Bakersfield/California. Mildred Patricia Baena, Schwarzenegger’s former house maid, is a woman of Hispanic descent, and meanwhile, in her fifties. She is wise enough to not let herself be exposed, but the neighbors are eager to help out: “The real estate agent said that back when the house was sold it was bought by Arnold for one of his staff members that was retiring. “And about Schwarzenegger’s alleged son: “He’s a wonderful kid. Such a nice young man. He’s respectful of people and property, very courteous. He’s very intelligent. He’s just a kid you want to be around.” If you have lived in Germany, like I did, you know the archetype of the chatty neighbor all too well, however, here in America, there is a fine but substantial difference: Americans don’t bitch their heart out, they kill with friendliness.

The fact that Baena has mentioned her back-then-husband as the father of the child (after all, his name is on the birth certificate) leads to further speculation by the media: when did he realize that there was a Cuckoo’s egg in his nest? Rogelio doesn’t tell.

Controversially, the now 14 year old boy was born only five days after Schwarzenegger’s son Christopher from the marriage with Maria Shriver. As mentioned before: one can’t be selective when humankind is so close to extinction.

Maria Shriver meanwhile appeared as a surprise guest on Oprah Winfrey’s last show and said to her: “You have given me love, support, wisdom and, most of all, the truth.” Pinch me if this isn’t an elegant pot shot.

And the morale of the story? Well, it first leads up to a question: What do stories like these tell about men in leading positions?

Answer: the emperor has no clothes. And when the emperor has no clothes, how can he keep his doodle in his pants? One can say that whatever gets revealed due to missing clothes has a respectable girth indeed. What’s a woman to do? She is looking forward to further revelations.

Tags: ,
Page 3 of 1012345...10...Last »