SUGAR AND SPICE
This year’s Malibu performance of “The Nutcracker” got off on the right foot with a get-together at the Malibu Country Mart. Longtime dance lover Liane Weintraub joined local notables like actor Ed Harris and Amy Madigan who turned out to celebrate the event and show their support for community-based theater and dance.
Arts patrons mingled with ballet director Diane Linder, Kevin Montgomery and precious ballerinas in the crowd. It was also the perfect excuse to take part in a little retail therapy. Twenty percent of the purchase profits at Juicy Couture went to the Malibu Ballet Society, which is underwriting the Malibu Civic Ballet’s production of the Christmas classic.
The 19th annual production takes place at the Smothers Theater with four performances beginning on Friday.
ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS
It was neat, sleek, cool and contemporary as the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles hosted its annual fundraising fling. More than 900 art lovers kicked off the festivities with a VIP cocktail bash and a sneak peak at a new exhibition. MOCA commissioned local artist Doug Aitken to transform the space into one big experimental work of wonder dubbed “The Happening.” The event mixed music, high impact visuals and elaborately choreographed performances. Guests made their way into a 24-foot long tent with an eye-popping, electric public art installation as its centerpiece. It was a dramatic focal point against the black-and-white striped walls. The pattern was said to be inspired by a type of World War I camouflage known as “razzle dazzle.” It featured colorful posters from 18 talented artists from Ed Ruscha to Catherine Opie.
The well-clad crowd tucked into a fine feast of organic fare prepared by celeb caterer Along Comes Mary and grooved to musical performances by Devendra Banhart, Beck and Caetano Veloso. Local museum heavyweights like Eli Broad hope the bash will give a big boost to the institution which was hailed as a “true celebration of California art.”
GLORIOUS GRUB
It will be a full-fledged food fling at Malibu Bluffs Park as gourmets and gourmands gather for the 2010 Malibu Food and Wine Festival. The event features local eateries with tasty dishes along with live music, holiday cheer and sweeping ocean views. You can sink your teeth into everything from Terra’s top-notch delicacies to grilled Mexican corn from Cafe Habana. The event benefits St. Jude’s Hospital and The Blue Project of Malibu so bring your appetite and head for the bluffs on December 5. De-lish!