48 Hours
Joyce Rudolph, Weekend
BURBANK -- Tom Thomas of Burbank is hoping to start a new big band
trend this Sunday with his first Recorded Big Band Show.
The commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Burbank invites
dancers and listeners to join him at the VFW Hall from 2 to 6 p.m., when
he spins vinyl recordings of 33s and 45s and CDs from his own collection.
In addition to Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, the music
of Glen Gray, Charlie Spivak, Woody Herman and Les Brown will be played.
Thomas’ collection also features soloists Stan Getz and Lester Young,
small combos led by George Shearing and Errol Garner and concert
recordings of The Modernaires, Manhattan Transfer and The Four Freshmen.
“Musicians and music lovers of all ages who are in tune with the music
of the big band era can close their eyes and visualize those exciting
moments of being at their favorite dance hall or ballroom,” Thomas said.
A musician all his life, Thomas sang and played bass in his early
years with dance bands and small combos in his home state of Connecticut
and in Rhode Island. His five years in the Army were spent with the Army
band, performing in the states and Europe. When he returned home, he got
a job as a weekend disc jockey at a radio station playing big band and
pop music.
When he came to California with his wife in 1960, he joined the
Musicians Local 47 out of Hollywood and continued to perform. After
deciding to take a civil service job, he continued to play with small
combos but eventually dropped out of the Local 47.
He has always liked to share his record collection, and because people
today enjoy hearing big band music, he wanted to try to appease them.
The USS Gudgeon VFW Hall is at 1006 W. Magnolia Blvd. Admission is
free, but donations are appreciated and will be donated to the post.
If there’s a big response, Thomas said, he’ll continue the event the
first Sunday of each month.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Pottery exhibit
at arts center
An opening reception for a pottery exhibit showcasing works by Ricky
Maldonado is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Creative Arts Center.
Not only is this Cinco de Mayo, but it is a birthday celebration for
the artist.
His current work is labor intensive as each piece takes two to four
weeks to make, depending on the size.
In October 1991, Maldonado pursued his interest in pottery by taking a
class at the Creative Arts Center. He was soon creating pottery similar
to his own Native American heritage and his early work was influenced by
imagery from his Apache and Yaqui roots. They would often tell stories
with their various symbols. The exhibit continues through May 24.
The arts center is at 1100 W. Clark Ave. in George Izay Park. For
information, call 238-5397.
THEATER ARTS
Musical ‘Working’
at Burbank theater
The musical “Working,” continues at the GTC Burbank Theater, 1100 W.
Clark Ave., Burbank.
The Tony-nominated musical is based on Studs Terkel’s book of
interviews with working class people throughout the United States. It is
produced by the Ascending Artists Stage Company.
It runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May
20.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors and
students. Tickets reserved in advance receive a discount. For
reservations, call 509-1041.
‘Private Hearts’
at Third Stage
The Equity Waiver production of “Private Hearts’ continues at Third
Stage through May 12.
It’s a contemporary comedy/drama about a white woman who falls in love
with a black singer and marries him less than 24 hours, much to the
chagrin of her fiance and friends. The problems that ensue drives them
into therapy.
Charles Emmett wrote and directs the play. George K. McConnell is
co-director.
Show time is at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $15. Call
842-4755. The Third Stage is at 2811 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
Falcon Theatre has
a Houseful of Honkeys
Los Angeles-based improvisational group, The Houseful of Honkeys,” is
presenting its newest improv show, “Las Vegas Hospital, through May 13 at
the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
The show features two original musical numbers, and each performance
is based on audience suggestions, so every show is different.
An ensemble of six performers, the group has produced and performed
original comedy shows together since 1991. It recently performed its
love-themed Valentine’s Day show “Honka, Honka, Burnin’ Love!” at the
Falcon Theatre.
Featured are Joel McCrary, Steve Purnick, Dave Russell, Clare Sera,
Danno Sullivan and Matt Young.
Tickets are $15. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 7 and 9:45 p.m.
Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. For reservations, call 955-8101. The Falcon
is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Parking is free.
Improvisational ensemble
continues at Third Stage
The Really Spontaneous Theatre Company is performing its innovative
improvisational shows Sundays at the Third Stage theater in Burbank.
The show features a troupe of eight stage-trained actors including
alumni from Whose Line Is It Anyway, as well as familiar TV and film
faces.
They create original one-act plays after receiving several suggestions
from the audience -- first lines, titles and even obstacles to true love.
Tickets are $15. Show time is 7 p.m. The Third Stage is at 2811 W.
Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call (323) 969-4991.
Alliance Repertory
producing ‘Seduced’
Sam Shepard’s “Seduced” is being presented by The Alliance Repertory
Company through May 20.
Directed by Mark Roberts, the cast features Kristen Cloke, Suzan
Fellman, Steve Liska and Joel Stoffer.
Based on the tragic last days of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes,
the play relates how the wealthy Henry Hackamore lives in an isolated
metal bunker in the Mojave Desert, aided by his longtime aide Raul.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. The
Alliance Theater is at 3204 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For reservations,
call (323) 655-TKTS.
MUSEUMS
Howard Museum offers
history of Burbank
The Gordon R. Howard Museum Complex features exhibits of early
Burbank. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. every Sunday.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The complex is at 1015
W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Parking is available at George Izay Park lot off
Clark Avenue. For information, call 841-6333.
The Doctors’ House
features Glendale history
The Doctors’ House, tucked inside Brand Park in Glendale, is a
Victorian home in Queen Anne Eastlake-style open to the public from 2 to
4 p.m. on Sundays. Built in the 1880s by real estate entrepreneur E.T.
Byram, the house has been restored. Brand Park is at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale.
DANCING
Dance to live music at Sardo’s
Sardo’s, 259 N. Pass Ave. Burbank features live blues and jazz from 9
p.m. to midnight every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Live music for dancing
is performed by Skyline from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays
and Saturdays. There is no cover charge. Call 846-8126.
Crazy Jack’s offers
country entertainment
Crazy Jack’s, 4311 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, offers live country
entertainment and free dance lessons.
Entertainment includes live country bands from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, and 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays. Tonight, the
James Intveld Band performs.
Dance lessons are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The menu includes steaks, hamburgers and French dip sandwiches, along
with a full bar. Call 845-1121.
KARAOKE
Dimples showcases
its customers
Dimples, 3412 W. Olive Ave., in Burbank, serves up some karaoke, Las
Vegas lounge-style. The club presents its Singers Showcase from 9 p.m. to
2 a.m. every night for those willing to croon for a crowd. Choose from
more than 10,000 songs and get a free cassette recording of your
performance.
The club opens its bar at 5 p.m. and starts serving dinner at 6:30
p.m. During show breaks, hit one of two dance floors playing disco, salsa
and popular music. Call 842-2336.
ATTRACTIONS
Skating is cool fun
at Pickwick arena
Pickwick Ice Skating Arena, 1001 Riverside Drive in Burbank, has
public skating, figure and ice hockey lessons. It is also available for
private parties.
Public session hours are from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
and from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturdays. The hours are from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Admission is $6 adults, $5 ages 17 and under, and $3 extra for skate
rentals. Call 846-0035.
Equestrian center great
for horsing around
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank, has
horse events throughout the year but also rents out the animals from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Horse rentals are $15 for one hour, $24 for an hour
and a half, and $28 for two hours, all with a $15 deposit, cash only.
Private hourlong lessons are $35.
Private parties can take night rides or, for the summer only, sunset
barbecue rides. The sunset rides are also open to the public. Call
840-8401 to horse around or 840-9063 for general information about the
center.
Talk to the animals
at the Los Angeles Zoo
The L.A. Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $8.25
for adults, $5.25 for seniors 65 and older, $3.25 for kids 2-12 and free
for kids under 2. Parking is free and strollers and wheelchairs are
available to rent. The zoo is at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. Call (323)
644-6400.
Family entertainment at Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese offers family entertainment and special packages for
children’s birthday parties.
The restaurant’s specialty is homemade pizza and prices range from
under $5 for an individual pie a mom and child can split to a $19 supreme
with 12 slices. It also has a salad bar featuring fresh veggie toppings,
sandwiches and bread sticks.
Admission is free. For party package information and reservations,
call the Birthday Line at 841-3453.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11
p.m. Saturday. Chuck E. Cheese is at 930 N. San Fernando Blvd., in the
Kmart shopping center.
If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call Joyce
Rudolph at 637-3241 or fax them to 241-1975.