The biggest names in Hollywood came out to fete the iconic actress, producer, author and fitness guru Jane Fonda at this year’s AFI awards ceremony. Malibu’s Mel Brooks was in the black-tie crowd, along with Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Clive Davis, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Catherine Zeta Jones, locals like Eva Longoria and many more.
The tribute focused on Jane’s career as well as her roots in a Hollywood dynasty. Her father received the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in 1978. Tonight it was her turn.
Following welcoming remarks from previous winner Sir Howard Stringer, Mel Brooks offered some humorous advice and Jeff Daniels preformed his very own special version of “Abs, Buns and Thighs.”
Speakers included Peter Fonda, Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin. Even “Barbarella” took the stage. After an evening of laughs, surprise and sentiment, Michael Douglas presented the Life Achievement Award.
The starry night will be broadcast on TCM August 1 as part of an all-night Fonda tribute.
GETTING ARTSY
July is in full swing and that means the annual Malibu Arts Festival is right around the corner. The beloved local event is celebrating its 43rd year, bringing an eye-popping array of crafts, photographs, paintings, sculpture and jewelry. More than 200 artists will be on display. It’s been called one of the best outdoor festivals in the country. In addition to art, you can expect loads of locals, dogs, kids and strollers. The festival is good old-fashioned family fun and takes place July 26 and 27 at the Malibu Civic Center. Admission is free.
HOCKNEY’S LATEST
Speaking of art, if you are a fan of famed artist and former resident David Hockney, you won’t want to miss his latest exhibit at the Louver in Venice. The solo exhibit, “The Arrival of Spring,” features 20 colorful prints capturing bucolic landscapes in East Yorkshire.
The exhibit showcases Hockney’s fascination with new technology. Together with a painting program, the artist created his works on his iPad. “It’s all drawing,” says Hockney. “It’s a new medium for drawing. The iPad is like an endless sheet of paper.”
With his newfound tool, he found all the effects and colors right at his fingertips. There are 20 vibrant works in all; 16 are printed on single sheets of paper. The four larger ones are on sheets of Dibond.
There are some critics who love Hockney’s work, but say the day of landscape is over.
To that he replies simply, “Some people say landscape is a dead art form. I have a different opinion. Drawing is an ancient thing. It’s 30,000 years old. Why are they saying we’ll give it up?” You don’t want to give it up when you have beauties like these to feast your eyes on.
The Hockney exhibit runs through August 29.