Longtime locals Dick and Terry Wolf always put summer parties at the top of their summer to-do list — including the Concern Foundation’s annual block bash. Every year, the life-changing organization puts on a splashy fete at Paramount Studios.
It’s always an evening of good grub, music and merriment, and this year was no exception.
Crowds gather by the thousand, munching on sweet treats from some of L.A.’s top eateries. Every year, the event has a theme and this year’s had tikis and toucans in a trip to paradise.
Guests enjoyed musical entertainment with an island twist, as well as nibbled and sipped on grub from some of L.A.’s top restaurants and caterers. Mouth-watering morsels were served up by the truckload. You could sample everything from sushi and steak to selections from Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill & Jazz. Herb is a longtime local and legendary trumpet player. His nephew Derek Alpert is the president of Concern.
In addition to the huge turnout and regular contributions, “concerned” citizens took part in luxury live and silent auctions.
All the merriment is for a good cause, of course. Over the course of 41 years, the organization has raised millions for cancer research. This year’s event drew more than 4,000 revelers who helped bring in $1.8 million to cure the devastating disease. So here’s to calories that count.
SUMMER SCENES
We may be going into the dog days, but the summer season is still alive and kicking at the box office. It started out early and strong with another flick from local Robert Downey Jr. in an action adventure success. RDJ returned to his role as Tony Stark in “Avengers: The Age of Ultron.” He was followed by Malibu beauty Charlize Theron with Tom Hardy in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Then, it was six packs galore in “Magic Mike XXL” and “Jurassic World.” It’s the latest chapter in the Jurassic tale, and comes to movie audiences 22 years after the first prehistoric dinosaur adventure. They served up a touching biopic of Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, as well as a colorful gang of mischievous yellow but anything but mellow creatures called “Minions.”
But, movie fans, never fear because in August there’s more fun to come.
After turning out a command performance in “Love & Mercy,” Paul Giamatti returns to the screen in “Straight Outta Compton.” It’s another music story. This time about the hip-hop group N.W.A. and its influence on the 1980s.
If it’s more action you’re after, check out “Fantastic Four,” due to hit theaters this week. It’s game on for local Adam Sandler, who stars in “Pixels.” With funnyman Adam on the bill, it’s hard to resist a guilty pleasure. It tells the tale of giant arcade characters out to attack planet earth. Meanwhile, the fate of the world is in the hands of Adam, and co-stars Kevin James and Peter Dinklage. It all adds up to summer fun, so enjoy the ride and pass the popcorn!