Retro Los Angeles: a Swanking Staycation

LSPoorEeyorick · 06-10-2009, 02:06 PM

We are… a many-faceted swanky group of people of varying means in a weird economic time.

We love… to explore and adventure, to gather and socialize, and to look at shiny stuff.

We have… a city of diverse options practically at our fingertips.

We should… take advantage of it.

Inspired by our anniversary celebration yesterday (during which we stayed for a surprisingly reasonable rate at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, and breakfasted at the retro kitschfest which is Clifton's Cafeteria) I thought it would be fun to enjoy an extended version of that with the kindred spirits here.

So, as I alluded to on Twitter earlier, I'm thinking of planning a series of events spanning a weekend this fall. It's helping me to plan things to look forward to, I think.

Anyway, the events would vary in price, so that people could pick and choose which ones they wanted to participate in. Maybe some people would even want to participate in all of them. Maybe some people would even want to participate while wearing retro-swank threads in honor of the retro digs and festivities. Who knows? But I'm going to blue-sky plan right now and see who'd be interested, and I'll solidify a plan later that I'll invite you all to join me, for part or whole. Maybe you'll have some cool ideas, too.

For instance, here's a sample blue-sky schedule for Retro LA Swanking Staycation '09:

Saturday, 10:00 AM
Group gathers at meeting place for a walking tour guided by the Los Angeles Conservancy docent. ($10/person)

This could be either the Art Deco tour, which covers the highlights of art and design, or the Broadway Historic Theatre District tour, which visits the exterior and interiors of the gorgeous theaters downtown.

Saturday, 12:30 PM
Group ventures to historic 1935 Clifton's Cafeteria for a taste of a theme restaurant that had mountains and animatronics before Disneyland was a twinkle in Walt's eye. ($5-$10/person)

Saturday, 2 PM
Group moves to Biltmore Hotel for a stroll through the gorgeous architecture and design. Those who choose to stay overnight can check in. Those who do not choose to stay overnight can join me as my guest for a dip in the swimming pool.

Saturday, 8 PM
Option A – After strolling through the marvel of Union Station, group heads to the elegant station restaurant, Traxx, or one of the tasty Mexican restaurants on Olivera Street across from the station.

Option B – Group heads to Cicada restaurant, housed in the Oviatt, an art deco marvel.

Saturday, late evening
Cocktails at The Edison?

Sunday, noon
Artistic "salon" in a Biltmore lounge

Sunday, 2 PM
Group heads to high tea in the Biltmore Rendezvous Court ($25/person)

Sunday, 3 PM
Self-guided walking tour of downtown, with podcast guide optional. (Free.)

Or possible museum outing. (MOCA?)

Sunday, 5PM
Cocktail kiss-off at The Standard?

Keep in mind... this is only a blue-sky listing of some ideas/options. Does anybody think they'd want to join in any of these activities, perhaps sometime later this year? Does anybody have other suggestions?

BarTopDancer · 06-10-2009, 02:13 PM

This sounds intriguing and fantastic.

I'm completely interested.

Bornieo: Fully Loaded · 06-10-2009, 02:32 PM

I'd like to.

innerSpaceman · 06-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Sign me up. (if that doesn't scare anyone away)

wolfy999 · 06-10-2009, 02:35 PM

Sounds wonderful....count me in!

Kevy Baby · 06-10-2009, 05:22 PM

I still want to find the Spider Wall

lashbear · 06-10-2009, 06:40 PM

Shame you can't visit the Cicade Club on a Sunday night when they have the dancing !

katiesue · 06-10-2009, 07:32 PM

I'm totally in!

Cadaverous Pallor · 06-10-2009, 08:30 PM

(that means yes)

€uroMeinke · 06-10-2009, 08:52 PM

I would want to visit the Cognac room

06-10-2009, 02:06 PM	#1
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	Retro Los Angeles: a Swanking Staycation We are… a many-faceted swanky group of people of varying means in a weird economic time. We love… to explore and adventure, to gather and socialize, and to look at shiny stuff. We have… a city of diverse options practically at our fingertips. We should… take advantage of it. Inspired by our anniversary celebration yesterday (during which we stayed for a surprisingly reasonable rate at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, and breakfasted at the retro kitschfest which is Clifton's Cafeteria) I thought it would be fun to enjoy an extended version of that with the kindred spirits here. So, as I alluded to on Twitter earlier, I'm thinking of planning a series of events spanning a weekend this fall. It's helping me to plan things to look forward to, I think. Anyway, the events would vary in price, so that people could pick and choose which ones they wanted to participate in. Maybe some people would even want to participate in all of them. Maybe some people would even want to participate while wearing retro-swank threads in honor of the retro digs and festivities. Who knows? But I'm going to blue-sky plan right now and see who'd be interested, and I'll solidify a plan later that I'll invite you all to join me, for part or whole. Maybe you'll have some cool ideas, too. For instance, here's a sample blue-sky schedule for Retro LA Swanking Staycation '09: Saturday, 10:00 AM Group gathers at meeting place for a walking tour guided by the Los Angeles Conservancy docent. ($10/person) This could be either the Art Deco tour, which covers the highlights of art and design, or the Broadway Historic Theatre District tour, which visits the exterior and interiors of the gorgeous theaters downtown. Saturday, 12:30 PM Group ventures to historic 1935 Clifton's Cafeteria for a taste of a theme restaurant that had mountains and animatronics before Disneyland was a twinkle in Walt's eye. ($5-$10/person) Saturday, 2 PM Group moves to Biltmore Hotel for a stroll through the gorgeous architecture and design. Those who choose to stay overnight can check in. Those who do not choose to stay overnight can join me as my guest for a dip in the swimming pool. Saturday, 8 PM Option A – After strolling through the marvel of Union Station, group heads to the elegant station restaurant, Traxx, or one of the tasty Mexican restaurants on Olivera Street across from the station. Option B – Group heads to Cicada restaurant, housed in the Oviatt, an art deco marvel. Saturday, late evening Cocktails at The Edison? Sunday, noon Artistic "salon" in a Biltmore lounge Sunday, 2 PM Group heads to high tea in the Biltmore Rendezvous Court ($25/person) Sunday, 3 PM Self-guided walking tour of downtown, with podcast guide optional. (Free.) Or possible museum outing. (MOCA?) Sunday, 5PM Cocktail kiss-off at The Standard? Keep in mind... this is only a blue-sky listing of some ideas/options. Does anybody think they'd want to join in any of these activities, perhaps sometime later this year? Does anybody have other suggestions?
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06-10-2009, 02:13 PM	#2
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	This sounds intriguing and fantastic. I'm completely interested. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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06-10-2009, 02:32 PM	#3
Bornieo: Fully Loaded Lego Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Disneyland, USA Posts: 3,704	I'd like to.
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06-10-2009, 02:33 PM	#4
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Sign me up. (if that doesn't scare anyone away)
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06-10-2009, 02:35 PM	#5
wolfy999 Eyes like Sapphires! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2.4 miles from Disneyland Posts: 1,523	Sounds wonderful....count me in! __________________ Diane "Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy." - George Carlin 1937-2008 DISNEY IS FINALLY PAYING ME BACK......STILL OWES ME ABOUT (oh, wait....way too much)!
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06-10-2009, 05:22 PM	#6
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	I still want to find the Spider Wall __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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06-10-2009, 06:40 PM	#7
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	Shame you can't visit the Cicade Club on a Sunday night when they have the dancing ! __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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06-10-2009, 07:32 PM	#8
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I'm totally in! __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
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06-10-2009, 08:30 PM	#9
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	(that means yes)
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06-10-2009, 08:52 PM	#10
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	I would want to visit the Cognac room __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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