A Winter Island Get Away

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A Winter Island Getaway – by Genie Davis

We’ve stayed on Catalina Island many times, often exploring the museum, the casino, or inland hiking. Off-season is one of the best times to go – fewer crowds, often perfect weather, and excellent ways to save on costs, too. This year, Catalina Express and close to 20 hotel partners, including for  Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors for the first time,  are sharing its popular “Best of Winter” ferry and hotel packages, now through March 14th.

The Casino is stunning, as are its tours; the museum always has special exhibitions and a terrific, historic permanent collection. There are new restaurants to experience such as the first biergarten in Avalon, Fix Biergarten, and the revamped Lobster Trap, as well as the brand new waterfront Pier 24, which pays tribute to the island’s original Steamer Pier from 1924.  There’s also a new  Pearl Discovery Experience, an interactive pearl jewelry experience, many eco tours into Catalina’s interior, and of course outdoor fun from hiking to parasailing, kayaking, and diving.

Speaking of diving, perhaps you’ll want to participate in the Underwater Cleanup in its 43rd annual iteration on February 22nd, or the Catalina Island Maraton 10k or 5k on March 8th.

The package offers round trip boat transport for two, and a variety of hotel packages:

At Banning House Lodge, guests can experience the beauty of Two Harbors, and wide views of both the Isthmus and Catalina Harbor, along with a selection of evening wine and cheese, and continental breakfast. Note that this venue is not open in January; check dates with the hotel, but due to weather, the property is typically open starting March 1st.

Ready for your visit right now, the Catalina Canyon Inn offers views, a pool, shuttle service from its spot just above town into Avalon Center, and an on-site restaurant.

The Aurora provides an ocean-centric theme and ambiance in a boutique hotel vibe, with Continental breakfast; Hotel Mac Rae is beach front in the center of town, a Continental breakfast served in its open-air courtyard, and after check-out shower facilities if you plan to get in a kayak session, dive, or swim before departing. At the Bellanca, guest will enjoy a bottle of sparkling wine, as well as a taxi ride to and from the boat landing.

Stay tuned to see what we will experience on the island, which is accessible via Catalina Express form San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point in as little as one hour.  From nature to cultural experiences, from history to hiking, snorkeling to fishing to spa experiences, Catalina has a little bit of everything an island getaway can offer – close to home and mellower and more magical off-season. For more info, check out the Winter Packages here. 

  • Genie Davis; island photos by Genie Davis; Catalina Express image provided by Catalina Express.

 

 

 

Odie Leigh Rocks Out at Echoplex

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At a powerhouse concert at the Echoplex in Echo Park a week ago, indie folk artist Odie Leigh edged her way into rockin’  pop with a touch of slightly gritty punky edge.

Through her tight, 15 song playlist, Leigh’s voice was impeccable, her lyrics often darkly romantic and powerfully intense – and even occasionally lighthearted and whimsical, as was the case with “All Star Breakfast,” a gentle Americana love song duet performed with her friend Field Medic.

Playing a mix of songs from her Carrier Pigeon albumn, and older tunes such as her poignant “Crop Circles,” a viral hit on TIkTok,  Leigh might remind the audience of a young Lucinda Williams or Fiona Apple – the former, perhaps at least a bit, because of their shared Louisiana roots – but she is uniquely her own.

Melodic yet powerful, commanding on stage yet comfortably interactive with the audience, Leigh’s songs vibrated with a heady mix of sorrow and fun, determination and wonder.

Highlights of the strong set at Echoplex included heartfelt lyrics, a lively band to support her sounds, and a general upbeat vibe even when musing about loss and vulnerability. While the band supported her on most cuts, she did perform some songs solo, including the delicately wistful “Crop Circles.”

From the contagiously singable chorus in her “Chutes and Ladders”  – “I’ll prеtend love’s Chutes and Ladders/’Til the game stops playing me” to the edgy rocker “My Name on A T-Shirt,” in which she sings “I wanna know how this one еnds…”
Well in Leigh’s case, listeners won’t want this to end at all.

Vibrant, soulful even, and still retaining some of that Americana lyricism, long may Leigh rock – and roll out whatever musical alchemy may come next.

Opening act Clover County was no slouch either, offering rich vocals and sweetly melodic sounds with a strong mix of indie folk and country sounds with themes of heartbreak and modern love.

The Georgia native has a smooth yet intimate style that warmed the audience in the best way – winning those unfamiliar with her hopeful melodies and raw breakup stories to ask for one more song before she left the stage.

  • Genie Davis; photos: Jack Burke, Genie Davis

 

Descanso Gardens Blossoms with Holiday Light

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Now through January 5th, catch a glimpse of the illuminated trees, gorgeous stained glass houses, and waves of color shifting tulips that make up Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens in Pasadena.

This fairytale of a holiday light show uses elements of the gardens as part of its tableau. The singing tulip fields are first on view, charming as music shifts and colors change in waves; they are a returning favorite.

We pass through a tunnel of stars followed by a series of beautifully patterned lanterns colored in fushias and gold. Created by HYBYCOZO, these are delicate and astonishing, seemingly as ephemeral as the delicate woven shadows they cast.

Visitors move into a section of tall, coast live oak trees with musical steps around them – tap your feet to summon a bell-like sound.

Afterwards, illuminated “park benches” provide a rest and the chance to take in an entire field of stained glass houses created by artist Tom Fruin. Some are large enough to enter; some are themed with illuminated playing card patterns, four leaf clovers and the like, while others present orderly geometric patterns, or collage like colors. One floats like a lilypad of light on a small lake.

A field of golden light filaments wavers near by; wire fencing holding swirly abstract flourescent tubing rise adjacent to real, headily scented roses. Fountains glow; a large full faux moon rises above and reflects in a royal blue-lit pond and waterfall. In the Japanese garden, red lanterns cast a seductive glow.

Finally, there’s a wonderful and hushed magical forest, with soft sound effects played live and echoing through speakers in the woods. Here, fairy-like sparks flick between the higher branches, a chandelier is suspended from a towering limb; and in the “sacred sanctuary,” the final stop on the walk, the scents of fecund forest and recent rain petrichor add to the magic.

Carolers, classical quartets, and solo cello players appear at intervals create additonal aural pleasures. Guests can purchase hot chocolate, coffee, or tea or headier adult fare along with sweet treats and snacks in several different food areas.

Advance ticket purchase is required.  Discounted admission of $10–$22 tickets on Dec. 2–3 and Dec. 9–10;  other dates, adult ticket prices range from $15–38 (members) to $22–45 (non-members) with children’s tickets (2-12) priced at $10–23 (members)
$17–30 (non-members); prices vary by date. The exhibition is held from 5:30-10 p.m. nightly,  closed Nov. 28 and Dec. 24–25.

  • Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis

 

Carved Slices Up Artistic Halloween Fun at Descanso Gardens

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Carved at Descanso Gardens has created a gently haunted, transcendent Halloween-time experience this year, with a fresh route, hand-carved wooden spirit creatures created by Chainsaw Jenna, and more of the large, crazy-cool pumpkins visitors have come to know and love.

The garden setting is lovely and the lighting sets the mood for glowing, spooky fun.

The charming new Descanso Railroad is playfully aglow; Rhizome, an installation from Tom and Lien Dekyvere offers mesmerizing, futuristic beams of light.

And of course there are the ever changing – because they only last three days – carved pumpkins to delight young and old. The artists creating them are ready to chat about their unique designs from Beetlejuice to Pikachu.

Then there’s the delightfully haunting pumkin trail, where pumpkin sculptures offer a mix of toothy grins,  and fierce gazes.  There are pumpkin-headed scarecrows, and pumpkin families as well as a purple-lit, water based installation that depicts a storm tossed and tattered ghostly pirate ship, rainstorm periodically descending over it.

A pumpkin–filled mesh dragon shifts colors with cast light in another water spot; glowing red lanterns illuminate a tunnel in the Japanese Garden.

The garden’s tree forest features illuminated bases with touch pads that emanate spooky sounds when trod upon.

 

Wire figures of ghostly boys and girls are positioned eerily in the rose garden.

Even the parking lot attendant’s booth gets into the spirit of the event, with a jaunty skeleton ticket taker pointing the way to the entrance.

The whole event is original and delightful, and has grown exponentially in both size and charm since its first years. This is a don’t- miss for families and those who like their Halloween thrills compelling but not filled with jump-scares;  haunting in a mist-shrouded, purple-lit, leave-it-to-your imagination way.

There’s also a pumpkin house photos stop, a beer garden, snacks, coffee – and hot chocolate, and delicious cupcakes, cookies and pastries alluringly near the pumpkin carvers.

The event is open from now until October 30th. Ticket discounts for members. Non-members will pay a well-worth-it $35-45 for adults and $25-30 for kids.

Hours are 6-10 pm, with timed admissions at 6, 6:30 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, and 9 p.m.

  • Genie Davis; photos: Genie Davis and Jack Burke