February Swanking - Oscar Shorts at the Egyptian - February 24, 4:00 pm
 

We'll be meeting at the Egyptian at 3:30 to get tickets and seats.

Please respond to the Poll if you will be attending. We may be able to arrange the Member rate ($6) with AndrewP.

Afterwards, we will venture out in Hollywood for dinner at some fun place. Suggestions so far have been Geisha House, Micelli's, Chan Dara and/or Cocktails at Musso & Franks. Post if you have a restaurant suggestion.

There should be more information about what films will be shown and who will be making a personal appearance soon. I'll post as soon as I know.

I'm pretty done with Micheli's. I love the atmosphere, but the food is 'meh'

Oh, and be careful about cocktails at Musso & Franks: That place hasn't moved forward in time since the 1950's ... and the drinks were far more potent back then, apparently.

Make that 2 votes for Musso & Franks.

Cocktails at Musso and Franks is fine-- but not food!

Never been to Musso & Franks - so I do desire to have a cocktail there sometime, but the Geisha House is a place I've been longing to return to. What ever happened to Yamashiro - or is that beyond the realm of possibility for this swanking?

I'm very disappointed at that omission also. But if shorts are at 4:00 ...




Frankly, I'd rather do Yamashiro than the Oscar shorts.

So, I forgot my OWN desire for Yamashiro. A coordinator's got desires too! Bawl.

Sunset's not till Six.

Can we hike up the hill?

Um, what are you guys talking about?

Yamashiro. I think.

[edit]I made this comment in the February Aero Schedule thread:

The time of the shorts is in complete conflict with sunset. (Unless they're really short shorts).

Yes, such is the sad but wonderful life we lead. I guess I'll have to go to Yamashiro another time.

Dinner after O. Shorts
 

Lucky Devils. Walkable next to Geisha House. Upscale, more organic comfort food owned by Lucky Vanous, u remember him as the hot white guy w/ great abs who shilled for Diet Coke in the late 90's. Food is really good, all kinds of unusual artisan beers on tap and great staff, friendly.

also, Cafe Des Artistes for French Bistro about 2 blocks south of Egyptian. Fun atmosphere.

Yamashiros great for drinks and view if it's clear. But is filled w/ tourists and first-daters, anniversary parties, bridal parties, convention types, but they have revamped menu as Cal-Asian in past couple of years.

25 degrees in front of Roosevelt also upscale, deliciious hamburgers from veggie to Kobe beef and incredible ingredients.

Musso's fine for a martini and Geisha House fun to look at but food kind of forgettable as it's really waiting every night to bring out the velvet ropes and exclude a few folks!

Also, Hwd will be TOUGH to get into that day as many streets will start to close and lanes and such so plan on getting there earlier so ur not all tainted w/ sweat and such.

Yamashiro for the view, I found the food and the drinks in the immortal and dulcet tone of iSm to be meh and on the expensive side for merely mediocre food and drink. The view is spectacular.

Musso & Franks is a venerable spot, but given the choice for Italian on or off the Blvd. I'd take Miceli's over Musso's.

Geisha House appeals to me.

I love Geisha House-- LOVVVVE Geisha House. And as we'd be getting out at pre-velvet-rope time, it shouldn't be a problem getting in. We should make reservations if we choose to go.

As with every outing, we can only join in if there are sufficient protein-free options for Tom. Not that it necessarily dictate your choice, but it will dictate our choice to be with you or not. There's unfortunately nothing for him at Yamashiro--but lucky for us, that seems to be an outing for another day. He's fine at Geisha, Lucky Devils, and Cafe des Artistes (and 25 Degrees to a lesser extent.) Also Micellis-- and unlike iSm, we quite enjoy their food.

If nothing is jiving with people and they are willing to relocate slightly east, Los Feliz has some excellent restaurants, including my favorite organic bistro, Figaro Cafe. (Or Cafe Figaro, if you prefer.)

Thanks for all the Hollywood eatery suggestions, AndrewBanks. Very useful.

Initially, I think I'm partial to Lucy Vanous or Cafe des Artistes.


But I'm confused about something. When is Oscar night? Is this swanking being planned for Oscar Night Eve or something?

It is indeed Erev Oscar Night.

I hate to be a pill ... but going to Hollywood on Erev Oscar Night is a phenomenally bad idea.






(unless, of course, our swanking concludes with a campout on the bleachers and continues through red-carpet movie star arrivals the next evening.)

We went on Oscar Eve two years ago, and it was actually quite fun... seeing as you could venture down to walk the red carpet. LoT photo opportunity. Though some roads were closed, the area wasn't so terribly busy.

And may I suggest the use of public transportation? The metro has a stop at Hollywood/Highland and I believe it was open Oscar Eve. If people don't have access to a Metro stop, you can always park at our condo, a convenient two stops away from the H/H stop. There's also a cheap-ish ($7 flat rate) parking lot on the corner of Cherokee and Hollywood, quite near the Egyptian; when driving into Hwood we always use it. If you come in from our eastern part of the neighborhood, even on a busy day, getting to it is really not bad at all.

If Oscar Eve turns you off, that's a bummer. Unless you go during the week, it's your only chance to view them-- and I stress again that they are usually quite worth viewing.

We'll be there. With the showing starting at 4:00, that's plenty early that getting into Hollywood shouldn't be an issue.

Oh, it's just that I'd seriously be tempted to stay. Back when the shindig was at the Dot Chandler, we used to camp out overnight in the bleachers and then watch the red carpet arrivals the next day. It was a blast. I did it about four or five times, and it was fun each and every time.


With it so close to the Chinese nowadays, this would be my chance to shout "Zelda! Ooooooh, Zelda!!! (ahem, from Singin' in the Rain.)

We will probably take the train up from LB is anyone wants to join us.

Yes, Hollywood will be a bit difficult to get into that evening - and we should probably decide on a restaurant sooner rather than later so we can make a ressie. I think the later hours are going to get incresingly crazy.

Sooooo, restaurant votes? (Sorry I can't do another poll here.)

My thoughts:

I've been to Cafe Des Artistises and it was nice, funky and cool but it's been a while and I'd love to go back.

I've frequented Micelli's to I'm not too thrilled with eating there again.

Geisha House was REALLY good the one time I went there. We would HAVE to make a ressie there.

I haven't tried Lucky Devils.

The drink options are a whatever to me.

I will be there and up for whatever. I've not eaten at any of those mentioned. So...

NA, I apologize in advance for this post.

I just tried to pronounce "Cafe Des Artistises" out loud and am now giggling at my desk.

Shut up. ;)

Yay a Saturday night. Don't have to pick up the kid so I can actually stay for dinner.

I'm going to give Andrew a call to reserve tickets for our group The current number is 7. Is there anyone who has NOT responded and would like to go to the Shorts? If so, please respond to the poll ASAP so I can get a decent count.

Sounds like fun!! Sorry I can't make it - I've got a shoot that day.

I will be there!! :cheers:

Um, is there any late admission allowed? I want to go, but 4:30 is the earliest I can make it.


If I can't get in at that time, I'd love to just join everyone for dinner afterwards.

Yes, you can probably come late, but I don't know how we'd get you your ticket - unless I leave it at the BO. hmmmmmmm.

Dang, I wish I'd read this earlier and planned ahead :( Sounds awesome.

I'll be there!

Right now, I've got 10 tickest on hold for us at the BO. According to the poll, that should be fine, but please answer the poll if you're planning on going.


Geisha House for dinner? We probably need to make ressies this weekend.

Um?

We'll be out of the shorts program before the ropes come out. We should make a reservation, though.

And I've eaten at Geisha a few times now, and the food has wowed me every time. Eggplant appeitizer to die for. It's a bit expensive, though I feel for food and atmosphere, totally worth it.

I loved Geisha House but I also loved Cafe des Artistes. My choice would be one of those tow.

I'm fine with either!

I think I'd vote for Cafe de Artistes

Yeah, I would, too.



But democracy or not, I won't care much in the end. The company's the thing, and the place is whatever. (As long as it's swanky.)

I'm fine with whatever. I'm just happy to go to a resturant that doesn't serve chicken nuggets in shapes.

OK, This is who is listed on the 8 people attending the screening:

Bornieo: Fully Loaded,
Cadaverous Pallor,
Ghoulish Delight,
katiesue,
LSPoorEeyorick,
Not Afraid,
Snowflake,
€uroMeinke

I'm going to assume Tom makes 9.

I have 10 tickets on hold and this is very close to selling out, so if you wannt to go, let me know ASAP so I can see if we can add more to your number on hold.

Andrew is going to join us for dinner.

I will make reservations for 6:45 for 12 people (always easier to subtract than add with ressies). Cafe des Artistes will be able to accommodate us.

That's all. ;)

Tom does indeed make nine. We would like to purchase an extra ticket, too, because Audra was considering (she lives in Hwood now!) and if she doesn't come, we will eat it or find a replacement.

Ok, so what happened to getting me a ticket and leaving it for me at the box office in case I'm half an hour late?

As it turns out, I'll likely not be late after all ... so may I please have a ticket? Pretty please?




(Did I have to officially vote or something?)

H, can you find out about Aud? With ISM, we're at 10 and I'd need to call Andrew if Aud will be attending.

Darn it! I have not been online (therefor not on LoT) since Feb. 3, so I missed all of this. NM will be out of town, he leaves that morning. I wanna go, this sounds really cool! I know NA only reserved 10 and it seems to have filled up, but is it too late to add one more ticket to the reservation?

Oh, we always wanted the extra one whether or not she can go. If she can't, we have another friend who will fill her spot. It seems J wants to attend too, so we're up to 12.

I left a message for Andrew. I think Morrigoon will join us as well.

Heheh, you know Swankings always get popular at the last minute ... it's the snowball effect of swank.

Whoo-hoo! So iSm, are we gonna camp?

I'm always camp.

Oh, you mean Camp-Out for the stars. Hmmm, methinks me too old.

So, Hollywood is shut down between something and orange. I would recommend training it if you can. Pre-event train riding party at our house.

Hollywood is not exactly shut down. Both Hollywood Blvd. and it's parallel street immediately south, Hawthorn, are closed between Highland and Orange.

There's usually good street parking south of Sunset, which is where I intend to look for a spot. The area around the Egyptian Theater, where the films are playing, is not closed off. Parking can sometimes be found on the streets there, and the parking lot behind the Egyptian should be open. If you're going to try to get north of Sunset in this area east of Highland, I'd still recommend staying OFF Hollywood Blvd. and sticking with the side streets.

As for train party ... the Metro station at Hollywood & Highland will be closed the night of the Oscars, but I'm not sure about the night before. If trains skip that stop on the 24th as well, it's a longish walk from the next nearest one at Hollywood and Western.

This sounds like so much fun. I won't be making this Swanking and I will be missing the Oscars due to prior commitments.

Have a great time everyone!

But I've got four out of town relatives who want to go. Can you get some more tickets, N.A.??



:p



(but, seriously, what about Babette? And potentially Eliza?)

I've upped the ticket number to 13. I still need to call the restaurant.

Actually, the next stop after Hollywood/Highland is Hollywood/Vine, but the point is moot because Tom (who rides the metro daily) said the notices in the stations say Hollywood/Highland is only closed on Sunday. Saturday will be just fine.

Here's a list of street closures around there on the 24th:

http://www.oscars.org/closures/224.html

Okay, so what time do we need to be at the pre-swanking, pre-train party?

Does anyone know if the Hollywood and Highland structure will be closed?

Pre-Train party meet at our house at 2:00. (I'm allowing cuision). Round Trip ticket is $3 - which is less than parking in Hollywood.

Be there! ;)

Well, that's $6 if you're two people, which is about the same as parking in Hollywood. But more importantly, it's less of a headache than getting to Hollywood, parking in Hollywood, and getting out of Hollywood, so we'll take it for sure.

OK, I just upped the numner at Cafe des aArtistes to 14. Hopefully, we have all of our numbers correct.

So, the tickets will be at the member rate of $6.
Train fare is $3
Dinner is what you make it.
Not bad fundage for a swanking.

TWO TICKETS UP FOR GRABS - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

Final list (who wouldn't want to join this swanky bunch?):

Babette
Bornieo: Fully Loaded
Cadaverous Pallor
Ghoulish Delight
innerSpaceman
katiesue
LSPoorEeyorick
Tom
Morrigoon
Not Afraid
€uroMeinke

That's 11 confirmed.

I have 13 tickets on hold. That means we have 2 up for grabs at this point.

Go for it!

I'll take one
My plans were cancelled.

So we're not all doing dinner afterwards? Or are you just saying it's whatever gets decided on?

I'm confuseldated...

She's saying the cost of dinner depends on what you order.

Yes, we are all doing dinner afterwards at Cafe des Artistes which is within walking distance of the theater. Price of dinner will depend on what you order.

So, One ticket to BTD. That leaves one more.

Someone needs to bug Kevy!!! C'mon Kevy!! You've gotta go!!! :(

Swank Train!

I'll take a ticket.
:)

Yay! (I was just feeling like I'm soooo not seeing GC as much as I'd like to since he moved to So Cal).

I just noticed that there are screenings of all the nominated shorts up in the Bay Area as well (somewhere in Sonoma County) this weekend.

So if you're interested and in a non-LA part of the country you might want to check the detailed listings for your area.

OK, then. We're set. If you want to do the Swank Train (tm) be at our house at 2:00.

Choo-choo! :cool:

My weekend: planes, trains and automobiles!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000NU2TJW/

For those of you who enjoyed the shorts. A DVD is coming out very soon! I know I"m geting my copy!

Visible mojo to you for finding this!

Yay I was hoping they'd do this. I'm ordering one definately.

Hooray! I MUST HAVE The Danish Poet.

I would love to go but I dont Drive :(