Welcome to Ghost Town LA – That week during Christmas where everyone’s away – well not everyone but an awful lots of Brits either go back to the motherland or to places that are warmer and dryer than LA. It’s actually a really great week for a stay-cay! For instance it really is a true 20 minutes to get to the beach from Hollywood, What about that Costco run you were putting off? Five minutes from Hollywood and guess what? Everything is dirt cheap – especially if you want to stock up on Christmas cards and wrapping paper for next year. – The bars and restaurants tend to be quieter so those last minute reservations at Cecconi’s or Osteria Mama are easy to come by! – It’s also a good time to do Runyon Canyon and actually focus on the exercise and not the throngs of gorgeous wannabes speed-hiking past you…. although admittedly sometimes that’s been fun! But seriously, consider doing all those chores that have sat on your to-do list since July – like getting the roof fixed. Yep, El Nino is barreling towards us and we are in store for one of the wettest Januarys and Februarys on record. Now don’t get me wrong, we complain when we don’t have enough rain and beg everyone to have really ugly lawns because we are afraid we may run out of actual drinking water. Then we complain when it’s too wet – which creates potholes all in the roads – creating accidents and damage to your car. Hell we are British, I mean, its what we do!
Awards season is fast approaching with the Golden Globes and SAG awards already announced – a fair few Brits in the crowded races there, which we always like to see. Idris Elba has two nominations, one for his TV work in “Luther” and in the Netfix pic “Beasts of No Nation”. Best of luck to him, along with Eddie Redmayne for “The Danish Girl”, Dame Helen Mirren for the “Woman in Gold” and again for playing Hedda Hoppa in “Trumbo”. Another double nomination for Mark Rylance for “Bridge of Spies” and “Wolf Hall” as well as nods for Christian Bale, Kate Winslet, Sir Ben Kingsley, Damien Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Dame Maggie Smith, and all the cast of Downton Abbey. Not forgetting some of this year’s best feature film directors – featuring a master, Ridley Scott for his work on “The Martian”. Best of British to them all and to the numerous other Brits recognized for their work in all the technical categories.
Speaking of awards, the BiLA’s renowned Toscars are back for their 9th annual gala. This year the bash is produced by Kim Morgan Greene and Devin Hamilton – Participation tickets have gone on sale at eventbrite.com – just search for Toscars 2016.
I can’t wait to see what the teams come up with this year – it truly is one of the funnest times you’ll have and you’ll make some life-long friends! I was involved in last years winner – “Big Birdman” – with Scott Kaske taking home the Best Whactor statue. I got best Supporting Whactor, we also picked up Best Scribbles, Best Director and last but not least – best film. What a fun night it was!
Finally Breakfast Club is still up and running at Cecconi’s (cecconisrestaurant.com) every tuesday and on the 31st we are all gathering at The Pikey (www.pikeyla.com) at 2pm to celebrate the British New Year at 4pm. No cover so just come join us.
Cheers and see you next year!
Craig Young
