Looking for a classic act? Starlight Bowl’s got The Answer
48 HOURS
It’s the second time around for classic rock band The Answer, and
members are enjoying it more than ever. Lead singer Van Mosley said
the band first organized in 1965, and continued until 1986, playing
everything from the Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival to
Aerosmith at park concerts, weddings and special events.
The band traveled all over the country, but its major claim to
fame was being known at the house band for Reuben’s restaurant chain
throughout Southern California.
“We had a lot of success with the band. We’ve made our living with
it since we were 18,” Mosley said.
They built up quite a following, having a steady gig at the
Reuben’s in Redondo Beach for 2 1/2 years, then moved on to the
Reuben’s in Torrance, West Covina, Cerritos, Irvine, Santa Ana,
Upland and cities where band members live -- Pomona and Claremont.
But as band members got married and started having families, it
became apparent they needed jobs that also offered health insurance
and pension benefits. So they took a break.
In 1998, they reunited, and are the opening act for the Captain
Cardiac and the Coronaries concert Sunday at the Starlight Bowl in
Burbank.
“I was asked to sit in with a group of guys who used to listen to
us when they were in high school,” Mosley said. “They had formed
their own band.”
Mosley had so much fun, it reminded him of the good old days with
the guys, and he called them and they were all for getting the group
back together.
“It’s turned into a second business,” Mosley said, adding they are
keeping their day jobs. They do hit 50 cities during their summer
tour each year. During the off-summer months they are busy playing
for corporate parties. And three years ago, producers at radio
station Arrow 93.1 heard the band at a car show and soon later made
them the station’s house band. Now they perform at the Arrowfest
classic rock concert every year.
“It’s been a big thrill for us to open for classic rock’s biggest
names,” he said. “One year, the band opened for Jefferson Starship.
We represent Arrow wherever we go.”
While classic selections are its mainstay, the band does like to
mix it up a bit, adding songs from Bon Jovi and Ricki Martin to its
repertoire, Mosley said.
“We play what’s good,” he said. “We have developed an ear for that
and don’t limit ourselves to oldie oldies.”
The band also aims to stay true to performing the music as the
original artists did.
“I’m a good imitator,” Mosley added. “Someone once called me the
Rich Little of classic rock.”
Opening for Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries is a real move up
for the group.
“We are honored to open for them,” Mosley said. “It’s more of a
professional gig than the shows in the park. We’ve been trying to get
into the Starlight Bowl lineup for a couple of years. For a garage
band, it’s nice to be asked to do these kinds of things.”
This year marks the 10th Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries have
returned to the Starlight Bowl. It’s one of the band’s most favorite
jobs, said drummer and vocalist Tommy Sillen of Glendale.
“We’ve been invited back every year,” said the 1975 Hoover High School graduate. “It makes me feel great. We get excited as time
grows close to the concert. We have a captive audience.”
The band also features Steve Ogg, “The Captain,” who started the
group in 1972, on lead vocals; Ralph “Woody” Riganti on guitar; Joe
“Lumpy” De Witt on base and vocals; Pat “Squally” Losurdo, on
keyboards and vocals; and Scott “Boom-Boom” Mitchell on sax and
vocals.
Dressed in red-sequined jackets and with their hair slicked back,
each band member is more rowdy than the next. Some come right down
into the audience and sing to swooning women in the crowd. You can’t
tell who’s having more fun, the musicians or the crowd.
“We work off the energy of the audience,” Sillen said.
One song that gets everyone out of the seats and jumping around,
Sillen said, is the Isley Brothers’ “Shout.”
“We’ve got the people in the palm of our hands and it’s right
where they want to be,” he said. “It’s incredible seeing that many
people enjoying the music.”
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking, and the concert begins at
6:15. Tickets at the gate are $7, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $4 for
children 3 to 12 and free for children 2 and younger. Parking is $5.
The Starlight Bowl is at 1249 Lockheed View Drive in Burbank. For
more information, call 525-3721 or visit the Web site at
www.StarlightBowl.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS
CHERISH THE LADIES JOIN POPS CONCERT
Cherish the Ladies, a leader in performing traditional Irish
music, will return in a benefit nonsubscription concert at Descanso
Gardens tonight with the Pasadena Pops Orchestra.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for picnickers, and the concert begins at
7:30.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.
Tickets are from $25 to $80. For reservations, call (626) 792-7677
or check out the Web site at www.pasadenapops.org.
PENELOPE’S HAS NEW ARTISTS
Penelope’s Cafe, Books and Gallery is showcasing the works of two
artists. Mary Tracy of La Canada Flintridge is displaying her
collage works made with recycled materials, while Catherine
Parkinson, also of La Canada Flintridge, is showing her photography.
Tracy has been making framed art pieces, art cards and bookmarks
for several years. She finds energy from taking discarded marketing
textile items and transforming them into works of art.
Parkinson won an award from the National Geographic magazine when
she entered its first photography contest a few years ago.
The exhibit continues through Sept. 15. Cafe hours are 7 a.m. to
5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to
9 p.m. Saturday.
Penelope’s Cafe is at 1029 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge.
For more information, call 790-4386.
BIG BAND MUSIC CONTINUES AT MOOSE LODGE
The Bobby Perino Combo is continuing its series “Big Band Dancing
at the Moose” from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Moose Lodge, 357
Arden Ave.
Guests can exhibit their ballroom and swing-dancing skills to an
orchestra playing the standards from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
Dance styles are East and West Coast swing, waltzes, foxtrots and
mixers. Latin dance styles include cha-cha, rumbas, mambos and
tangos.
Admission is $6. For information, call 240-1505.
ACTION/REACTION THEATER RETURNS TO BRAND PARK
As part of its third annual summer season, the Action/Reaction
Theater Company presents Paul Osborn’s romantic comedy “The Vinegar
Tree” at 7:30 tonight in Brand Park in Glendale.
Admission is free; however, due to budgetary constraints, a $10
donation would be gratefully received.
Michael Holmes directs the Equity production, with musical
direction by Ghadi Shayban, choreography by Alex Pevic and costumes
by Don Nelson. The show features Diana Angelina, Walter Beery, Kelly
Franett, Joseph M. Hoffman, Ashling Pearson, Kathy Pearson and Thomas
Sullivan.”The Vinegar Tree” is a comedy for all ages, focusing on
love in all its incarnations: young love, old love, new love and true
love. Osborn is perhaps best known for his play, “Mornings at Seven.”
Brand Park is at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. Productions are
staged in front of the historic Doctors’ House Museum. Guests are
welcome to bring picnics and refreshments. For preferred seating and
more information, call 786-1045.
STANLEY’S ADVENTURE CONTINUES ON ALEX STAGE
The Disney Channel will present “Stanley’s Great Big Story Time
Adventure,” a free live performance encouraging families to engage
their preschool-age children in reading, at 10 and 11:30 a.m. today at The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
The event features Playhouse Disney characters Vivian from “Out of
the Box” and Stanley from the show bearing his name. Admission is
free. For more information, call 243-2539.
‘LES MISERABLES’ COMPLETES RUN
Foothill Summer Theatre’s “Les Miserables” completes its run at 2
p.m. today at La Canada High School Auditorium.
The musical is based on the novel by Victor Hugo.
Directing the production is Zoe Bright, a member of the original
London cast. Bright is joined by musical director Dan Kerr,
choreographer Melinda Gillman, co-producer Joanna Hurst and costume
designer Janis Kerker.
Tickets are $10 and $15. For reservations, call 236-2666.
Foothill Summer Theatre, a nonprofit organization, has been
serving the community for 22 years. It is dedicated to providing
local youth, 10 to 20, an opportunity to develop their talents in
acting, singing and dancing through the performance of a full-scale
musical production. More than 1,000 young people throughout the San
Gabriel Valley and foothills communities have participated, many
going on to pursue professional careers in the arts.
OPEN HOUSE AT CASA ADOBE DE SAN RAFAEL
Members of Glendale Beautiful are sponsoring an open house with
free tours from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Casa Adobe de San Rafael, 1330
Dorothy Drive, Glendale.
Glendale Beautiful members maintain the state historic landmark,
which was built in 1870 for Tomas Sanchez, the first sheriff of L.A.
County. The adobe contains period furnishings and historic artifacts
and photographs.
For more information, call 246-3634.
ON STAGE
‘TONS OF MONEY’ AT CENTRE THEATRE
Alan Ayckbourn’s “Tons of Money” continues until Aug. 23 at
Glendale Centre Theatre. It is directed by Burbank resident George
Strattan.
“Jack and the Beanstalk,” by Byron Simpson, continues at 11 a.m.
Saturdays except Labor Day weekend through Nov. 15.
Tickets range from $14 to $17. For reservations, call 244-8481.
Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale.
AGA-BOOM PROMOTING LAUGHS AT FALCON
The Falcon Theatre kicks off its new annual Falcon Family Summer
Theatre series with the comedy “AGA-BOOM.”
From the veteran clowns of Cirque du Soleil’s record- breaking
show “O” and “Alegria,” “AGA-BOOM” is a unique theatrical event for
the family. Rooted in the unique style and universal language of
clowning, “AGA-BOOM” cuts through the barriers of language and
culture with the art of slapstick, the humor of physical comedy and
the excitement of childhood.
Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 4 to 7
p.m. Sundays through Aug. 24. Tickets are from $15 to $25. The Falcon
is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. For reservations, call
955-8101.
‘RAPUNZEL’ CONTINUES AT THE FALCON THEATRE
“Rapunzel,” written by Lori Marshall and directed by Joseph Leo
Bwarie, is continuing at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
Based on the classic fairy tale of love and deception by the
Brothers Grimm, Rapunzel and friends look high and low for happiness
in a magical forest, only to find that it was right in front of them
all along.
Performances are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays through
Sept. 7. Tickets are $10. The Falcon is at 4252 Riverside Drive,
Burbank. For reservations, call 955-8101.
ART EXHIBITS
SETSU DISPLAYS ‘PORTRAITS AND PANORAMAS’
The Art of Japanese-American artist Setsu is featured at The
Forest Lawn Museum in Forest Lawn, Glendale through Sunday.
“The Art of Setsu Portraits and Panoramas” represents the journey
one has on the path of life as well as experiences that touch the
lives of Angelenos each in a unique and personal way. Setsu
specializes in portraits capturing the story her subjects have to
tell and reflecting on her experiences as a Japanese-American
citizen. All of her paintings bring together the influence she has
felt, from her background to the painting styles of Van Gogh and
Renoir.
The exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Forest Lawn Museum is at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. Admission
is free. For more information, call (800) 204-3131, ext. 4545.
PICTURE POETRY EXHIBIT BEGINS AT BODDY HOUSE
Actress Angela Cartwright, from 1960s TV shows “Make Room for
Daddy” and “Lost in Space,” shows her hand-painted photography in her
exhibit “Picture Poetry” opening this weekend at the Boddy House in
Descanso Gardens. An artist’s reception is from noon to 3 p.m.
Sunday.
Joining her in the exhibit are Shirley Flynn, showing oil
paintings that depict the special places of her life, from New
England to Southern California, and Marsha Grieco, making her
Descanso debut with watercolors of flora, fauna, landscapes and other
whimsies. Also in the show are ceramic artists Lilia Venier and
Miriam.
The exhibit continues through Aug. 28. The Boddy House Gallery is
open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and accessible by foot path or,
in the afternoons, by tram. Admission is free with admission to the
Gardens.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Admission fees
are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors and students; $1 for children 5 to
12, and free for members and children younger than 5. For more
information, call 949-4200.
A LITTLE JAZZ WITH DINNER
RESTAURANT OFFERS MUSIC FROM ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s
The Oceanview Bar and Grill offers live entertainment six nights a
week for diners.
Entertainers perform a combination of piano and jazz guitar
pieces, and some accompany with vocals. Musical selections include a
mix of music from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s to opera to Celine Dion.
Some entertainers also perform their original pieces and invite
diners to sing along with them.
Jennifer Russell and Michael Gayle sing jazz while playing piano
and guitar from 7 to 10 tonight. Singing behind the piano the rest of
the week are Bill Howe on Monday; Travis Warren, Tuesday; Mary Ekler,
Wednesday; Alexandra Caselli, Thursday; and Bob Fetherolf, Friday.
The Oceanview Bar and Grill is at 3826 Ocean View Blvd., Montrose.
For more information, call 248-2722.
JAX OFFERS SUPPER, JAZZ EVERY NIGHT
Jax Bar and Grill is a supper club offering live jazz every night
of the week.
Show times are 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 p.m.
to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday.
Happy Hour Jazz is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Tonight, the spotlight shines on the Nelson Adelard Quartet. Med
Flory Quintet performs Sunday. The schedule for the week is Bob
Christy Quartet on Monday; Jim Honeyman Quintet on Tuesday; Harold
Bennett on Wednesday, Jack Sheldon on Thursday; and the Karen
Hernandez Quartet on Friday.
Jax is at 339 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. For more information, call
500-1604.
MUSEUMS
BURBANK HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFERS EXHIBITS OF BURBANK
The Burbank Historical Society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum Complex
features exhibits of early Burbank. There are extensive collections
of vintage vehicles, costumes, dolls, cameras and special sections on
the history of Lockheed, Disney and Warner Bros. studios.
Hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The complex is at
1015 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Parking is available at George Izay Park
lot off Clark Avenue.
For more information, call 841-6333.
BURBANK MUSEUM DEDICATED TO AVIATION
Burbank Aviation Museum is dedicated to the memory of the men and
women who made aviation history in the San Fernando Valley.
Located at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Cemetery, artifacts are
displayed in the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation, an
ornate domed building that is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Visitors can enter on Valhalla Boulevard behind
Fry’s Electronics, off Hollywood Way or use the main entrance at
10621 Victory Blvd.
The Portal building is accessible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for
viewing the cenotaphs and burial stones.
The aviation displays can be viewed from noon to 4 p.m. on
Sundays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more
information, call 845-3300.
BOLTON HALL FEATURES EARLY SUNLAND, TUJUNGA
Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga, run by the Little Landers
Historical Society, features historical displays relating to the
Sunland and Tujunga areas. It is open to the public at 1 p.m.
Tuesdays and Sundays. Admission is free. The museum is at 10110
Commerce Ave., Tujunga.
For information, call 352-3420.
THE DOCTORS’ HOUSE FEATURES GLENDALE HISTORY
The Doctors’ House, tucked inside Brand Park in Glendale, is a
Victorian home in Queen Anne Eastlake-style open to the public from 2
to 4 p.m. Sundays. Built in the 1880s by real-estate entrepreneur
E.T. Byram, the house has been restored. Brand Park is at 1601 W.
Mountain St., Glendale.
LOOKING BACK AT THE LANTERMAN HOUSE
The Lanterman House, owned by the city of La Canada Flintridge, is
operated by the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation and is open to
the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and the first and
third Sundays of the month.
The house was built in 1914 by the founding family of La Canada
Flintridge. The city took ownership in 1987, and public tours have
been offered since 1995.
For information, call 790-1421.
KARAOKE
SWING DANCING, KARAOKE COMBINE AT THE MIX
The Mix, at 2612 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose, offers Top 40 music
played by a disc jockey on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On
Wednesdays, there is swing-dancing instruction from 8 to 9 p.m.
followed by swing dancing from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Karaoke is offered
at 9:30 p.m. Thursdays. There are also 12 pool tables and a pool
league, dart boards and a darts league, and the occasional live band.
Cover is $3 on the weekend, $2 on Tuesdays and $5 on Wednesdays.
Call 248-3040.
DANCING
GO TO GIGGLES FOR SALSA, LATIN HOUSE
Giggles nightclub, 215 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, is offering a
mixture of dancing and salsa lessons Fridays.
Salsa and merengue dancing are offered on the lower level Fridays
and Saturdays. On the main floor, Spanish rock and pop are played
Fridays, while Latin house, trance and Top 40 are offered Saturdays.
There is a strict dress code. The club is open 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $12 both nights. Call 500-7800.
ATTRACTIONS
SKATING IS COOL FUN AT PICKWICK ARENA
Pickwick Ice Skating Arena, 1001 Riverside Drive in Burbank, has
public skating, figure skating and ice-hockey lessons. It is also
available for private parties. Public sessions are from 2:30 to 4:30
p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 8 to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays.
Admission is $6, $5 for 17 and younger, and $3 extra for skate
rentals. Call 846-0035.
EQUESTRIAN CENTER GREAT FOR HORSING AROUND
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank,
has horse events throughout the year but also rents out the animals
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Horse rentals are $20 for one hour, $30
for 1 1/2 hours, and $35 for two hours, all with a $15 deposit, cash only. Private hourlong lessons are $35.
Private parties can take night rides or, for the summer only,
sunset barbecue rides. The sunset rides are also open to the public.
To horse around, call 840-8401, or for general information about the
center, call 840-9063.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241, e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
them to 241-1975.