Another LIVE concert direct from The Roxy in WeHo, California - Kenny Metcalf as ELTON JOHN performed a rousing set of hit songs portraying the Pinball Wizard in all his sequins and glory.  This is another show in the Axs.TV "The Worlds Greatest Tribute Bands" series. Next up . . . DSB - Journey.Get your lighters ready.

An Incredible Immitation

Last Monday I had the awesome opportunity to shoot the Atomic Punks, a Van Halen tribute band, at The Roxy for Axs.TV's live concert series on the best tribute bands.  These guys are incredible at what they do. And what they do is bring an era of Van Halen (70s-80s) to life again. 

BFF Girls!

Behind the Scenes

Shooting live concerts doesn't always mean showing up when the band starts, shooting their set, and leaving. It sometimes involves following the band around backstage and documenting for a variety of reasons. Whether it's by invitation from the manager to get promotional shots for their endorsees or to document lifestyle, it can be a fly-on-the-wall experience.

Shannon O'Shea, the manager for 8mm, invited me to the Roxy in Los Angeles to not only shoot the gig, but go back stage and document the band getting ready and talking to their fans and road crew before and after the show.  As always is the case with dark clubs, backstage can be a nightmare, so having a camera that handles higher ISOs and a fast lens is a must in your arsenal.

Juliette Beaven has makeup applied to her before the show.

Just a little bit more and Juliette will be perfect

Backstage chats with fans and friends. 

Capturing some moments during the performance.

Photowalk and the Cosplay

Creatures of the Night

I was invited to shoot at the vampire hang, Bar Sinister, in the always entertaining and decadent land of  Hollywood.  A dark hole in the middle of Cherokee Avenue is where you'll find this conclave for the macabre, where on Saturday nights it's home to the culture of alternative thinkers and dressers; studded and painted in their signature black regalia. They come to embrace their love of the dark side; to play and be played. Creatures of the night.

I was there to observe and shoot the night's headlining act, Dark Drive Clinic. Here's what I managed to squeak out before the air of cloves and nicotine invaded my lungs.

 More images can be viewed on my Smug Mug site : SMUG MUG

Head Out on the Highway

Warmer weather in Southern California brings out motorcycle madness.  My boyfriend and I have been cruising on our Gold Wing for over 10 years now, but since our motorcycle club disbanded five years ago, we had yet to find a new group.  Although we enjoy going on rides by ourselves we missed the camaraderie and companionship of other biker friends.  Recently we've been lucky to find two groups we found through the internet; Moto Photo (motorcyclists who are also photographers) and Tri Valley Riders.  Here's a series of photos taken during the last few weeks of rides to various So Cal locales. 

Angelus Crest is a highway winding through a national forest, which a few years ago had a tremendous fire destroying a major part of the terrain.  Many of the roads have been closed until this year.  Driving through the forest, remnants of the devastation is still visible, but newly formed vegetation and colorful Spring flowers are growing all over the place. 

 

 

 

Blues Jam in Toluca Lake, CA 

 

Monday night is the blues jam night at Lucy's 51 in Toluca Lake, California.  Bobby "Hurricane" Spencer, on sax below, hosts the jam of top notch L.A. musicians. You're sure to find a gem in the bunch and a celebrity or two playing all styles of blues, from rock to R&B.

 If you play an instrument or sing, all are welcome to sign in and wait your turn to play. The house band starts playing at 8PM and the jam begins around 9PM to midnight. Even if you don't play an instrument or sing, come on down and enjoy the music and the eclectic ambiance of Lucy's 51 on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake, California. We'll be waiting for you.

Making Merry

And so the holidays have descended on us once more.  Airports are busy with people traveling miles to see their loved ones, stores are packed with last minute shoppers and bargain hunters,  drivers are distracted by the vision of things yet to get done, while others are mixing and basting in their kitchens  that all important Christmas feast.  It is without hesitation we dive into holiday mode wrapping and decorating and jingling all the way, and it is without thought we are programmed to do the things we do each and every year. You can't turn on the TV without seeing commercial after commercial telling us we need to buy our loved ones a Lexus or a Chia pet.  And it is every year this frenzy starts earlier and earlier and doesn't wind down until the wee hours of Christmas eve.  Through each holiday season I have cut back on the stress induced frenzy and hair pulling mayhem of this joyous and happy time.  I scaled down my gifts, giving family gift cards or money, thus avoiding the hot mess called the mall.  Christmas cards went bye-bye and were replaced by e-cards. A decaying tree in my living room no more, but instead a small living one I can transplant after the season.  Sure, I enjoy driving past the homes adorn in lights and looking into the decorated shop windows, but I've reached the age where the holidays are just one predictable cluster and cacophony of sights and sounds. I longed to simplify, de-clutter if you will, so I may perhaps feel that spark, that feeling you had as a child, that wonder of Christmas morning when that last present under the tree signed "from Santa" may have been put there by the jolly old elf himself.  Here's to bringing back the spirit, the wonder and the joy - Happy Holidays.

Walking Worldwide Locally

Okay, so last weekend was the 4th annual Scott Kellby Worldwide Photowalk.  If you're someone who likes exploring new places with the support of few dozens other photographers, then this is the experience for you. In almost all cities in the world, there are a few photowalks set-up by individuals, designed to explore and photograph various locations in their town. This year, the walk I selected, was in downtown Los Angeles Arts District and Little Tokyo, and we had probably 60 participants of all ages.  Besides the standard walkabout, our group leader invited a couple models to spice up our journey and adorn the city's well-defined backdrop.   Here's a few tidbits from the day's journey.

 There is nothing like the LA arts district, complete with art graffiti and postered buildings. 

Our colorful models added another element to the city's backdrop

Beauty shines through her body adornments

Modern Traditions

The amazingly beautiful Sumeer, just turned 16, and wanted photos as a reminder of this special time. We met early on a Saturday morning at beautiful Balboa Lake in Van Nuys, California. 

Sumeer in a traditional Sari, brought from India by her father. 

Melanie @ Griffith Park's Old Zoo

Skeletal remains of decaying cages that once housed lions, tigers and bears, are the only reminders of Griffith Park's old zoo. These cages, built in the 1930s, have been vacant since the 60s when the zoo was moved to its current expanded facility in Griffith Park.

Various cages dot the recreation and picnic areas, making them fun places for children to climb and play, and of course, interesting enough for photo shoots.  The above structure, where my lovely model Melanie is delicately perched, is a barn like building that has seen a little too many partying teens.

Among the graffiti, beer bottles and empty pizza boxes are posters and artwork, creating a unique urban backdrop juxtaposed against the beauty of Griffith Park.

Golden light from the rapidly setting sun

What zoo animal is this?  Zebra-Tiger perhaps?

Melanie stands in front of the Carousel