Matt Marr at Griffith Observatory

When you last saw him, Dancer and Actor Matt Marr was at the Chateau Marmont's Bungalow 2 filling in as James Dean. Today's post shows him at Griffith Observatory, another Hollywood location used in the movie "Rebel Without a Cause." What do you do when you arrive there on a Monday only to find out it's closed? You shoot photos around its amazing exterior.



Matt won third place in the fourth and final season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.



More recently, he told me that he had the honor of dancing to "Singing in the Rain" at the service for Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher.



Here he is posing next to the bust of James Dean, sculpted by the late Kenneth Kendall:



And leaning against the Astronomers Monument at the entrance to the Observatory:



The Astronomers Monument and Sundial (that's what's on top of the monument!) was completed in 1934. The design was by local artist Archibald Garner and was part of the Public Works of Art Project (PWAP).



More Griffith Observatory photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Hooray for Hollywood!

Looking for a little R&R, I booked a weekend at the Chamberlain, charged up the camera battery, and went absolutely photo-nuts.



I'm a sucker for signage, so when you throw in the neon factor, I'm in absolute hog-heaven. These pieces are part of the Museum of Neon Art collection.



The IHOP sign is not part of that collection!



Historic Barney's Beanery has been around since 1920.



Located inside an old Pacific Railroad passenger train on Sunset Boulevard, Carney's has dubbed itself as having "probably the best hot dogs and hamburgers…in the world!" Using the word "probably" gives them a wider margin for error—smart thinking! I will say that I enjoyed my chili burger.







Hugo's is a favorite spot for breakfast:



The Courtyard Thematic District on Fountain Avenue is one of my favorite spots in Hollywood; I love the vintage apartment buildings, courtyards, and landscaping. It's like stepping back in time into a film noir setting.











On my morning run to Runyon Canyon, I had to carry the camera with me (you just never know what you're going to see). To get the best possible arm work-out, I continually switched my camera back and forth from right to left arm.









For the first time I ever, I checked out the Planetarium Show at Griffith Observatory. What a blast!







If you've never been, you need to add this to your list of things to see. It is a masterpiece of art deco architecture.





See more vintage & current Hollywood, CA photos on my Hollywood photo web page.