Moonlight Monday

Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, that is. The occasion was to see The Doo Wop Project’s Christmas Concert. Dominic Scaglione, Jr. who I met in NYC this summer was one of the singers. The concert featured oldies and Christmas classics alike, spreading joy through the audience despite the chilly temperatures. Well, chilly for the woosies who live here in Southern California.

Charlton Brown, the Tony award nominee for playing Smokey Robinson in “Motown The Musical,” welcomed a friend up to the stage. He is also a San Diego native.







The weather did not cooperate for the show. Rain began to pour down after intermission. Are we really in San Diego? I want my sunshine tax back.



The gang squeezed out a few more tunes before the show had the plug pulled on it for the rain.



Dominic welcomed us backstage, where it was much drier.



Dominic and Charl:



I highly recommend seeing if The Doo Wop Project is coming to a venue near you. The guys are all super talented and the music is fantastic.

See more Doo Wop Project photos at my main website.

James Dean in New York

1950s icon James Dean's career was floundering in Hollywood. He went to New York and honed his craft on the stage and in many early TV dramas. While there, he lived in this New York City Apartment.



Dean walked up these stairs to get to his rooftop apartment:



Want to go in?



The interior is slightly different, but overall, very much the same:



Compare with this vintage Sanford Roth shot:



Where Dean bathed:



The rooftop and its views are incredible:



I was able to do a photo shoot with actor/singer Dominic Scaglione, Jr. who is best known (so far) for playing the lead in the Broadway production of “Jersey Boys.”



Wearing a Rebel Jacket from Daddy O's.





The view as you exit the building:



See more James Dean photos at my main website.

Paris and Jersey: Together Again

Only in Las Vegas would Paris and Jersey be mentioned in the same breath. The long-playing musical "Jersey Boys" was what got me back to Sin City in the first place. Who can resist the music of Frankie Vallee and The Four Seasons?



The music was incredible and the set design was right up my alley. I really loved the show.



It will be awhile before I can get those songs out of my head.



Afterwards, we took the elevator up to the Eiffel Tower restaurant for a memorable dining experience.



Once you step out of the elevator you see the kitchen where the magic occurs:





The table was by the window, affording incredible views.



The Bellagio Hotel and Caesar's Palace:



The interior was just as gorgeous.



For dinner I chose the vegetarian Wellington. Although not a vegetarian, I just didn't feel like eating the meat version, so went with this very tasty alternative.



Because of the long prep time, dessert had to be ordered ahead of time. Trust me…the caramel soufflé was worth the wait!





For a very special occasion, I highly recommend The Eiffel Tower Restaurant!

More Paris Hotel at my main website.