Posts Tagged ‘inspiring’

Playground of Dreams is one of most exciting and inspiring charity events I have attended in a long time.  When I first met Co-Founders, Anna Herbert and Brian Larrabee, I was immediately impressed by their passion, commitment and joy for what they were doing.

Dash Mihok and POD Co-Founders Anna Herbert and Brian Larrabee

Playground of Dreams (POD) is an innovative mentoring program that teams industry professionals with children to build their creativity, confidence, leadership, and unique sense of purpose in the world.  Talk about giving kids a headstart in life, POD gives these kids a running start or in many instances a good sprint.

Aldis Hodge, Ashley Avis and Edwin Hodge at POD

Aldis Hodge, Lori Moreno, Host DJ, Sebastian St. George, Parris Harris, Edwin Hodge at POD

Playground of Dreams was definitely a playground for kids to live out their dreams of being an actor, poet, scientist, rock star, or musician.  Working with entertainment industry mentors to help build their confidence and creativity, these kids put on the “Coolest Variety Show on Earth,” and even delivered extremely moving testimonials on their experiences dealing with being bullied in school or on being picked on for being different.  Some of the special performances included Vassy, COED, Mosaic, Kandace Lindsey, The School of Rock, and actor Dash Mihok, Travis Van Winkle, and actress Sharon Pierre-Louis.

actor Dash Mihok and Sebastian St. George

Some may say, “Oh this is a glorified talent show.”  No, this is far from it.  I have never been to an event and seen so many people, well over 500 excited, invigorated and inspired that packed this venture.  These young kids played to a large crowd and all received standing ovations and thunderous applause; The likes of which many of today’s Rockstars would be envious.  Needless to say, I was very impressed.

This event included tons of activities for the kids who attended and even a few for the adults.  There was a creative “Time to be Your Own Superhero” where the kids went in and received a costume makeover by stylist and designer Liz Trdatyan and her team, into any type of superhero or character they wanted.

Makeup artists painted masks and lightning bolts and even ombre stripes from purple to magenta all over kids’ faces! Pretty amazing stuff!  There was also an incredible “Dream Panel,” that featured Catt Sadler, Sharon Lawrence, Frances Fisher, Martin Kove, two time Oscar-winning sound engineer Ron Judkins, and talent manager Michael Greenwald.  It was so inspiring and again, talk about giving these kids a running start.

Frances Fisher, Brian Larrabee & Anna Herbert

There was also a Peace Sign painting station with live music hosted by 24 Peaces – a World Peace Project.  24 Peaces is an incredible documentary in which artist Gene Jimenez conducts a series of twenty-four conversations with both preeminent peacemakers and a cross section of “every-day people” from diverse backgrounds and cultures throughout the world.  It was a real pleasure to meet Gene!  It was also fun for Lori Moreno, Parris Harris, numerous kids and myself to get our doodle on and draw on Gene’s Peace Sign.

Sebastian St. George, Gene Jimenez 24 Peaces & Parris Harris

Another fan favorite was a hilariously fun photo booth.  Now I don’t know about you, but, whenever I see one of these, I go crazy.  This is a great opportunity to ham it up with your friends.  Exhibit A – See the pictures below with the awesome Clemson Twins and Yael from Sweet Crush Ice.

Did I mention food yet?  This lively atmosphere included the ever so tasty Sweet Crush Ice Bar, one of my favorites, if you haven’t tried Sweet Crush Ice, you gotta!  Click on their name for a direct link.  They are located in Brentwood.  Look them up!  The owner Yael is as sweet and generous as the healthy desserts she has created.

Yael Lustmann of Sweet Crush Ice with 2 Happy Customers

More tasties: Duff Goldman’s Cake Mix, Village Pizzeria, EarthBar – Wow they had some amazing organic juices and green drinks!  We LOVED the EarthBar Liver Cleanse juice!  Also another favorite of mine was Hint Water – I love their flavored waters!  Other sponsors included Cinema Secrets, Level 3 Design Group and Lacoste.

EarthBar Liver Cleanse Beet Juice

Brad Di Pane & Allan Santana of MayaTequilla w/ Sebastian St. George & Lori Moreno

On the adult side there were two great sponsors: The award winning organic Blue Ice Vodka and the amazing Corazon Maya Tequila.  I had briefly seen Corozon at the Art.Life Art Exhibition in Downtown Los Angeles a few weeks earlier.  This time I got to talk with two awesome representatives from the company, Brad Di Pane and Allan Santana.  What great guys, but honestly their Tequila spoke for itself.   All of my friends loved the fantastic and unique heart-shaped Corazon Maya Tequila bottle design.  Talk about winning over a lot of hearts!  I also liked their creative bottle and stand.  Maya Tequila Reposado tastes great and is smooth!

Allan Santana, Liz Tradatyan, Brad Di Pane, Sebastian St. George & Dana Waldie

Playground of Dreams – hats off to Co-founders Anna Herbert and Brian Larrabee.  Thank so much for inviting me to your incredibly inspiring and exciting event.  I know this was a kids events, but I saw just as many adults having a great time as well.  It was amazing to see so many kids filled with joy and happiness as they experienced living their dreams NOW.  All of my friends and I had a great time supporting an awesome charity and we look forward to the next one!

Isn’t it time you… #LiveYourDream

Stay Luminous

Sebastian St. George

Parris Harris, Lori Moreno & Sebastian St. George

One of My Favorite Places to Visit in Las Vegas is the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens located in the Bellagio Hotel just to the right of the check-in desk.  It is truly an inspiring and breathtaking experience.  What’s even better is it doesn’t cost a dime; not to mention that is a wonderful refuge from the chaos of casino smoke and action.

Upon entering the gardens one is lifted up into a whole new realm of awareness and aesthetics.  You are greeted by the brilliance of flowers, rays of light, the sound of running water, the amazing aromas, the sounds of birds and the oohs and ahhs of the guests as they take it all it.  One cannot help but be captivated by the beauty and the awesomeness the themed displays that change with each season and/or holidays.

The whole garden is surrounded by such a stunning architectural presence from hand-laid tile floors to luminous skylights that it’s almost hard to believe that it’s there.  This is Vegas after all LOL

I find this architectural environment liberating and a renaissance of beauty and art.  It is visually stunning in everyway.  A big Thank You to the incredible designers and workers who create these magical gardens every season.

The most recent theme for the 4^th of July consisted of a huge ferris wheel, the Liberty Bell with an American Eagle perched on top, a carousel / merry-go-round, incredible flowers, water displays and a walk-in cage with live parrots.  Don’t forget to check out Yogi and Boo-Boo as they prepare to fish in the koi pond.

One of My Favorite Places to Visit and every time I go to Las Vegas I always stop by.  As I was leaving I couldn’t help saying: “Bella Bellagio”.

Carma-heaven – Surviving 2011 has to be one of the most apocalyptic years known to date.

It’s only July, but, let’s take a brief look at some of the specatular events that we have survived so far.   Massive earthquakes, nuclear reactor meltdowns, tsunamis, overwhelming river bank flooding, the end of days in Harold Camping’s rapture and last but not least carmageddon on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles this last weekend.

For the last four weeks the Los Angeles media has blitzed the public with an endless assault of dire warnings of what was to come because of the closure of the 405 freeway.  Everyone was talking about it and many were scared to death to be on the roads and highways.  Saturday I was right in the middle of carmageddon as I had to go to an event that was planned long before carmageddon was announced.  I was absolutely amazed to see that no one was on the freeway.  It was like the twilight zone.  Actually, it was kinda scary!

It was inspiring to see that the great people of Los Angeles were able to get together and make this an incredible experience for everyone.  It’s also amazing that the Cal-Trans and construction workers finished well before the scheduled completion time.  It was a job well done by everyone in Los Angeles.

One could almost surmise that this should become an occurring event every so often to help reduce traffic, pollution, aid the environment and help people discover and support their local communities.  It was also amazing to see as I was driving home today on the 101 freeway a Cal-Trans sign that said, “Thank You Los Angeles.”

BANKSY – THE MOST INFAMOUS STREET ARTIST without a doubt Banksy defines this thesis. Banksy reminds me of the the Guerrilla Poster and Political commentary Artist Robbie Conal who’s work first graced and was plastered all over the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980s. These artists and their work personify and define the antithesis of established art. Unlike most art that makes you think, inspires you or carries a large price tag or whatever blah blah blah. More importantly, these Artists have a clear capacity to insult and piss you off, in an educated way of course.

Banksy remains anonymous

Banksy remains anonymous in order to maintain the mystique. Thusly, it is not a mystery. There is no need or reason to see him or meet him. Why? Just look at yourself in the mirror. He represents a piece of Us all and his work speaks from the collective unconscious. One only needs to delve into the deeper meanings of the self and/or go into the places one may be scared or not want to explore.

Banksy represents the underdog

Banksy represents the underdog and more importantly his works defines an outpouring of the mass suppressed psyche of our current society and the deterioration of the moral and social fabrics of today’s civilization and world economies. The fact is, if you are a building owner, you could only wish to be so lucky to have Banksy decide to paint on your building. Consider him a modern day Warhol. His work… soon to be priceless. You are absolutely a fool and an idiot to paint over it. BTW, you can quote me on that, too. Just look at the recent Woman that is selling a Warhol painting for $30 million at auction that she originally bought on an installment plan for $1,600.

The world needs more Banksy’s. But for now, check out some great videos of his awesome work.