Sunday, January 19, 2014

A Is For...Absolutely Amazing

A is for... serves as an ally and advocate for organizations working to protect reproductive rights; we are a unifying forum utilizing social media to spotlight issues and encourage activism. A is for All of us.

When: Sunday, January 19, 2014
Where: Largo at the Coronet, Los Angeles
A is for...
Accompanied by: Kathryn
Genre: Comedy & Music

Line Up: Retta and Laura Kightnlinger (hosts), Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, Steve Agee, Jen Kirkman, Tiffany Haddish, Josh Homme & Matt Sweeney

So, one day a few weeks back, I received an email from Largo at the Coronet announcing an upcoming event. Quickly scanning the email, all I saw was "...blah, blah, blah, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age...blah, blah, blah..." I hopped over to their ticket site and quickly purchased a ticket. No questions asked. Never once bothered to look at any of the details. Inevitably, it's a good thing that I'm not conservative and am 100% pro-choice.  This is not to say that you can't be both, but generally the two do not go hand in hand.

It turned out that this was going to be an evening of comedy. A fundraiser for the organization A is for... The specific cause was to help raise money for women's rights in Texas, or as it was publicized "Benefiting Texas Abortion Fund."  I can understand some people taking issue with it, but to be honest, it never once entered my mind that this was going to be anything other than an incredibly amazing night.  And that's exactly what it was.



But it wasn't without having to get past the protesters and being told how sick I am...and yet it was oddly humorous when you see the backdrop for these signs of damnation.




For the life of me I can't remember any one particular funny moment that stood out from the rest. It was all funny. Each comedian brought their own element of funny.  A few favorable moments:

  • Sarah Silverman asking if Kathryn and I were a couple.
  • Zach Galifianakis zeroing in on my coughing fit and claiming that I was infecting the room
  • When a few girls from the audience yelled out to Josh that they loved him, his response was "what". As they said it again, he responded, "oh, I couldn't hear you, I was talking."


While the comedic portion of the night was on fire, we all know the reason I was there and Josh did not disappoint.  As the final act, JHo took the stage with Matt Sweeney, both with acoustic guitars and ready to rock.  

A four song play list that was absolute heaven and perfect for the crooner side of our Ginger Ninja.

  1. Memories are Made of This by Dean Martin
  2. Down in the Mine (or as the guys humored it up with "down in the vagina")
  3. In Dreams by Roy Orbinson
  4. Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway
Largo at the Coronet are strict with the no photos, no video rule. So unless someone out there is hoarding their contraband, the above will reside only in my memories. But oh, what sweet memories they will forever be!!

Afterwards, in the tiny Largo courtyard, we were able to enjoy rubbing elbows with a handful of familiar faces...Michael Sheen, Ellen Page, Keith Carradine, Andy Richter, Martha Plimpton, Kate Beckinsale and others that for the life of me I cannot recall.

And of course, the highlight of my evening was getting a few moments of Josh's time for a photo, and his signature on a Jermaine Rogers print, titled "Red", and the back of a t-shirt that was made just for the occasion (designed by arminsfrozenpeas).


Once the night was over, upon reflection of all the people - celebs and non-celebs- that were in attendance, it is good to know that I will be in good company should one day we all find ourselves in hell.  And I'm okay with that.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013 In Retrospect...


Well, so much for "now that I have a mortgage, I won't be able to go to shows anymore..." 2013 was a damn good year  (winning tickets is one of the keys to making this type of year possible)! To be honest, I'm not sure if 2014 will be able to live up to the hype, but it will certainly be fun trying to see what we can make happen!! 

Favorite moments of 2013: TWO troubadour shows - Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails. That's pretty epic. Rail for NIN resulting in a foot across the face and a set list. Seeing Dave Grohl & Taylor Hawkins induct Rush into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Front row for a Q&A with Getty Lee & Alex Lifeson. 3rd row seats for Depeche Mode. Paul McCartney for free on Hollywood Blvd.

JANUARY (3)
*1/23 Muse @ Staples w/ Gabs
*1/26 Muse @ Staples w/ Steph
1/28 Sound City Players @ Paladium w/ Gabs

FEBRUARY (1)
2/17 The Hives @ HOB Anaheim w/ Gabs

MARCH (4)
3/1 Morrissey @ Staples w/ Kathryn & David
3/5 Sound City Players @ Kimmel/Hollywood Blvd w/ Gabs
3/10 Milk & Bookies @ Skirball Center w/ Kathryn & Nic
3/27 KLOS Rock Against MS Benefit @ Whiskey A Go Go

APRIL (6)
*4/6 KROQ April Foolishness @ Gibson w/ Steph
4/16 Q&A with Getty Lee & Alex Lifeson @ Archlight Theaters w/ Jill & Gary
4/18 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony @ Nokia Theater w/ Susan, Jill, Lisa & PJL
4/20 RSD Jimmy Eat World @ Fingerprints, Long Beach w/ Tiff, Lisa, Jazz & Mark
*4/26 Depeche Mode @ The Troubadour w/ Nic
4/27 Chevy Metal @ Maui Sugar Mill Saloon w/ Kathryn & Jane

MAY (7)
5/3 Rolling Stones @ Staples w/ Rosey
5/4 Stewart Copeland @ LACMA w/ KJ
5/5 Tenacious D @ Bootleg Bar w/ Gabs
5/11 Face to Face @ HOB Anaheim w/ Steph & Susan
5/15 Rolling Stones @ Honda Center w/ Rosey
*5/18 KROQ Weenie Roast @ Verizon Wireless, Irvine w/ Steph
5/23 QOTSA @ The Wiltern w/ Nic

JUNE (3)
6/2 Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants @ Echoplex w/ Kathryn & MJ
6/15 Playboy Jazz Festival @ Hollywood Bowl w/ KJ
6/29 Chevy Metal w/ DG @ Costa Mesa 60th w/ Steph, Tiff, Jill & Paula

JULY (3)
7/2 Chevy Metal (Maui Ola Foundation Benefit) @ Laguna Beach w/ Gabs
7/29 QOTSA @ Kimmel Live w/ Kelly, Tiff, Lisa & Anthony
7/30 Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants CD Release @ Fingerprints, Long Beach w/ Kathryn

AUGUST (5)
8/8 Hall & Oates @ OC Fair/Pacific Amphitheater w/ KJ
8/11 Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants @ Alex's Bar, Long Beach
8/17 QOTSA Birthday Show @ Gibson w/ Kathryn
8/25 Steely Dan @ Nokia Theater w/ KJ
8/30 Trombone Shorty @ Hyatt Regency, NPB w/ KJ

SEPTEMBER (3)
*9/3 NIN @ The Troubadour w/ Anthony (he won, but I consider this a win cuz I was his +1)
*9/23 Paul McCartney @ Hollywood Blvd/Kimmel w/ Mark Ward
*9/28 Depeche Mode (THIRD ROW) @ Staples w/ Gabs

OCTOBER (2)
10/26 Bridge Benefit Night #1 w/ Tiff, Lisa, Sarah, Cosmo, & Debbie
10/27 Bridge Benefit Night #2 w/ Tiff, Lisa, Cosmo, & Debbie

NOVEMBER (3)
*11/7 NIN @ Kimmel Live w/ Cass
*11/8 NIN @ Staples w/ Anthony, Will, Daylin & Judith
11/23 Pearl Jam @ LA Sports Arena w/ Lisa, Dion & Tiff

DECEMBER (4)
*12/7 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas Night #1 @ The Shrine w/ Tiff
12/8 91x Wrex The Halls @ San Diego w/ Sarah, Maria, Steve & Katz
12/20 Camp Freddy Night #2 @ The Roxy w/ Gabs, John, Nic, Debbie & Kathryn
12/31 Sheila E./Sergio Mendes @ Disney Hall w/ KJ

*Won Tix (Thanks KROQ)
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Life is good. Thanks to all of my amazing friends for helping share in the addiction. Looking forward to many more adventures and shenanigans (or in the case of Feb 2014, ShenaniLaragans). Bring it on, baby, bring it on!!!