CICLAVIA...

CICLAVIA is coming back again this year to Wilshire Boulevard! On April 6th (the first Sunday of the month) between 9am- 4pm. Wilshire Blvd will be closed from Grand Ave, downtown, to Fairfax Ave, Miracle Mile, to vehicular traffic and accessible to only pedestrians & bicyclists during those hours. (So Gaylord residents, do not park on Wilshire Blvd starting at 8pm on Saturday, April 5th. You will be towed!)

Last year, many people who participated learned of the Gaylord for the first time and of its' storied history. And our HMS Bounty was overflowing with the crowds stopping in for a refreshing 'drink.' Come out and enjoy this event by walking or biking or just plain people watching on the Boulevard!

Ktown Event...

Coming up in 4 weeks is the first Ktown Night Market! The main event will take place at the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools on Friday, April 18th, from 4pm- midnight and Saturday, April 19th, from 2pm- midnight. You will not want to miss this event. Read up on it at their website, ktownnightmarket.com and watch the video on youtube at youtube.com/user/KtownNightMarket. Some of the sponsors include, yelp, City of Los Angeles, Seoul Sausage Company, Metro and many others.

LA Opera...

With the shuttering of doors to many opera companies due to the lack of interest and subsequent financial reasons, we are grateful for the Los Angeles Opera. It was just announced, yesterday, that the San Diego Opera company would be closing down after this years' season. Timing, I find quite a bit, seems to be a playful event of coincidences. For last night, the husband and I had tickets for the LA Opera's production of 'Lucia Di Lammermoor.' Wow... this was a great performance. Written by Gaetano Donizetti and premiering for the first time in 1835, it is the story of passionate love and the madness love creates for its cast members. The lead characters of Lucia and Edgardo were brilliantly performed by Albina Shagimuratova, from Russia and Saimir Pirgu, from Albania. The scene where Lucia goes mad before your eyes was done beautifully and you felt it. Deservedly, Ms. Shagimuratova received quite the ovation after singing this piece. Sadly, the story resonated with me strongly, reminding me that even still today, for many families across the globe, women are seen only as a commodity and their hopes, desires and wishes are ignored and quelled by the male members of the family.

The sets were done to an austere and hauntingly minimalism, so the performances were what stood out in this production of 'Lucia.' For me, the sets were reminiscent of a cross between Salvador Dali's work and for some reason the Broadway dance production of Twyla Tharp's 'The Catherine Wheel,' from 1981 (my goodness it is now over 30 years since I saw that production! David Byrne wrote the musical score to 'The Catherine Wheel' and this also reminds me to re-purchase that score because that music was masterful!).

So Gaylord tenants, neighbors and the LA community at large, get out and take yourself to an evening of opera and support this culture. Tickets can be had for as little as $18. That is just a couple of bucks more than going to the movies and this is for a LIVE performance. And don't forget, the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall is right across the street from the Los Angeles Opera Company, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, downtown. Experience both and enjoy what LA has to offer you!

www.laopera.org , www.laphil.com   

Leading Actress...

Dorothy Mackaill, pictured right in 1930, was a Gaylord resident in the late 1920's and leading film actress from the 1920's to 1930's. Originally from England, she eventually joined the Ziegfeld Follies in New York where she was found by Hollywood. She met long time friend, Marion Davies, pictured center, while they both were with the Ziegfeld Follies. While living at the Gaylord, she was married to film director, Lothar Mendes, from 1926-1928. Dorothy was lead actor and had top billing in 1932's 'Love Affair,' oppposite Humphrey Bogart, along with more than 60 other titles to her credit. My favorite title of Dorothy's was 'Safe in Hell,' from 1931.

Marion Davies, celebrity, film actress and most notably known as paramour of William Randolph Hearst. We have all heard the rumors of her escapades with Mr. Hearst, here in the Gaylord and also in what is now the HMS Bounty.

Eileen Percy, pictured left, was originally from Ireland and appeared in nearly 70 silent films. She did not transition well into the 'talkies' and her film career ended by 1933.

The Gaylord was abuzz with all sorts of film folk in its' storied history. This photo looks like it may have been shot down at one of the Santa Monica beach clubs, from the time, along Pacific Coast Highway.

Full House...

I know for those of you looking for a great apartment will be disappointed and do not want to read these words, but sorry, we still have a full house with no units on notice to become available and those units that are currently sitting empty had already been staked and claimed some time ago and are being prepped for their new tenants. Keep thinking of us for the future.

Broadcasting Live...

The pictured article is from the Los Angeles Times, September 5, 1924 edition. At the time, one of the first radio stations in Los Angeles, KHJ, would broadcast live entertainment with local personalities, entertainers and bands. One such group was the 'Gaylord Trio' which featured Lorena Wade. Lorena was the original editor of the Gaylord's monthly publication 'The Buzzer' that eventually became the 'Gaylord Glimpses.' She was also married to one of the original owners of the Gaylord, P.B. Fletcher.

The article reads in part, 'We envy the residents of the Gaylord Apartments, who can descend to the lounge of the Gaylord and listen to the trio give one of its delightful hours of music.' We try to keep this spirit of entertainment alive today through our residents and their many talents.

3377 Wilshire Boulevard...

What a joy it would be to sit under those colorful outdoor umbrellas at 'The Brown Derby!' This postcard is from 1949 when 'The Brown Derby' was just steps from the Gaylord, on the same block.  I am sure the Gaylord tenants, of the time, were filling up some of those seats and enjoying the beautiful southern California weather with family & friends.