SWEET ENDINGS
It’s hard to believe that summer’s almost over. Our red, white and blue paper plates for the Fourth have been replaced by back-to-school materials and, before you know it, Princess Beatrice and Michelle Bachmann Halloween costumes will be all over town. But there are still some great ways to squeeze out the last, little drop of summer before it’s gone.
A much-loved summer tradition is right up the road in Topanga with a stop at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. The season kicked off a few weeks back with a splashy ocean view preview party at the Malibu home of Ed Harris and Amy Madigan.
Ever since then, the Theatricum has been delighting theatergoers with the best of the Bard and a few non-Shakespearean surprises as well.
You’ll still find all-time classics on the playbill including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The open-air event has become a summer must-do and there’s nothing like watching the thespians at work while listening to the crickets sing. There are more bodice-busting laughs in store with “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and, for a dramatic turn, the Geer is offering “Richard III.” They’ll even throw in a traditional British feast with braised beef brisket, mint-glazed peas and carrots and a sweet English trifle.
If the Bard isn’t your bag, check out “Tartuffe” or “Rose Cottages.” The season goes through September so there’s lots of summer fun still to come.
Another great place to bring a basket and watch the magic unfold is at the Hollywood Bowl. You’ll still find fireworks under the stars in September, including “Night at the Moulin Rouge,” a program featuring Rossini, Beethoven, Haydn and Handel, and an all-Tchaikovsky spectacular complete with the USC Trojan Marching Band. Closer to home, there’s no better way to wrap up summer than with a hot bowl of award-winning grub at the Kiwanis Club Annual Chili Cook Off. Expect four spicy days and nights over the Labor Day weekend.
BROOKE’S A BRIDE
Longtime Malibu resident Brooke Burke tied the knot with David Charvet after a five-year engagement. The two said “I do” on the romantic island of St. Bart’s in the Caribbean. The TV hostess looked fresh as a summer breeze in her beautiful but beachy, ruffled white gown. The groom also wore white. Congrats!