Los Angeles, CA. “Immersive Van Gogh” is captivating the imagination of local art lovers. The imagery of Van Gogh’s art appears on the walls and floor and is multiplied in mirrored sculptures throughout three galleries. Visitors enter and tour the exhibit with others who are grouped in the same time period. It features a 40-minute video installation playing on a loop. Organizers say, “To ensure your safety, and based on guidance from the CDC and other government agencies, our walk-in exhibition will operate with enhanced safety measures including face coverings. Safety is our number one priority for all guests attending Immersive Van Gogh Los Angeles..”
Located at 6400 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, the 55,000 square-foot dubbed the Lighthouse is the former home of Amoeba Music. The building was transformed into an art experience featuring a 25,000 square foot exhibit space where the art of Vincent van Gogh comes to life. Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter born in 1853.
Created by Italian film producer and exhibition creator Massimiliano Siccardi, the video incorporates 400 animated Van Gogh images and mostly original music by Italian composer Luca Longobardi.
Award-winning designer David Korins, known for his set designs featured in numerous Broadway hits including ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ helped define the space. It’s one of twenty Immersive Van Gogh exhibits currently on display in the U.S. and promotors say is the largest.
The installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889), and more.
This exhibit is from the creators of the installation seen by over 2 million visitors in Paris and a sold-out run in Toronto, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit makes its mark in the heart of LA.
From Immersive Van Gogh:
Adult general admission for the show, co-produced by Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums, starts at $39. It runs through January but may be extended. Here’s a link to tickets.
Safety is our number one priority for all guests attending Immersive Van Gogh Los Angeles. With over 170,000 visitors in Toronto during COVID-19, and zero reported cases associated with the exhibition since opening, we’re proud to be operating an experience where it is safe to GOGH.
To ensure your safety, and based on guidance from the CDC and other government agencies, our walk-in exhibition will operate with enhanced safety measures including:
• Touchless hand sanitization stations placed throughout the venue
• Contactless payment encouraged throughout the venue
• Face coverings required for all staff and guests
• Social distancing circles projected throughout the entire exhibition gallery space
• Enhanced, regular cleaning throughout the day on each floor
We will continue to closely monitor the situation daily, and adjust our safety measures accordingly, in readiness for our opening.
Thanks for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.
Lifestyle Story: Los Angeles, CA. Did you know that nearly one in three Los Angeles singles surveyed are more likely to swipe right on someone if they have a dog pictured in their dating app profile? Singles are working to resume dating as pandemic restrictions finally ease and pet owners may have an edge. As National Pet Day approaches on Sunday, April 11th, new research from the women-first dating platform Bumble has found that dogs may be the key to romantic success when dating in Los Angeles.
“More than ever, people are looking to connect with those who share their values and interests as we’re navigating this new world of dating,” said Bumble Dating Expert Francesca Hogi. “Los Angeles consistently ranks as one of the top pet-friendly cities in the United States, and this has translated on the Bumble app, too, where more than one in three Angelenos who have adopted the Pet Badge are dog owners.” 52% of those surveyed thought that a person with a dog seemed more likely to be caring. According to the survey, conducted in March 2021 amongst Los Angeles singles, nearly one in three people believe that if a prospective romantic partner has a dog, it shows they’re less afraid of commitment.
Singles who want to show off their sensitive side should consider posting a photo with their dog on their dating app profile.
Including a photo of a dog in your profile can also be an easy conversation starter, as one in three Angelenos surveyed say that this could spark effortless conversation on a first date. In fact, nearly one in four respondents would actually prefer to walk their dog or go to a dog park for their first date, and one in five Los Angeles singles say that their dog getting along with their potential partner is a top dating priority for them.
If going to the dog park isn’t an ideal date scenario, embrace the sunny weather and suggest bringing your dog on a walk to the beach or visiting the farmer’s market. Nearly half of those surveyed would prefer a casual date outdoors for their first date.
People often include photos of their pets on their profiles, but Bumble’s Pet Badge also allows its community to easily share if they’re an animal lover and what pets they have. People can also filter their matches to find other people who love dogs (or cats) as much as they do. According to the survey, those who adopt the “Dog Badge: increase their chances of matching with someone by nearly 10%.
Bumble Dating Expert Francesca Hogi explains, “As a fellow dog mom and lover, dogs can be beneficial to romance at so many stages – from the first swipe to the qualities you develop as a pet owner to the bond it creates as a couple!”
As folks are spending more time at home with their pets during quarantine, they’re also more frequently including this within their dating profiles. Millions of people worldwide added the Dog Badge to their Bumble profile after the Covid-19 pandemic started in the US in March 2020.
About Bumble app: Bumble, the women-first dating, and networking app, was founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. Bumble connects people across dating (Bumble Date), friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz). No matter the type of relationship, women make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, happy life. They’ve built their platform around kindness, respect, and equality – and their community plays an important part in that. Bumble holds its users accountable for their actions and has zero tolerance for hate, aggression, or bullying. Bumble is free and available worldwide in the App Store and Google Play.
Unless cited otherwise, these insights were commissioned by Bumble and carried out by Atomik Research in March 2021 to 806 daters within Los Angeles, California, U.S. Other observations were based on proprietary Bumble platform insights within Los Angeles during March 2021.
Los Angeles, CA. The United Way is working to keep students connected and moving forward. The transition from high school to college is something that students look forward to and work hard to achieve for years. As with many rites of passage during the pandemic, this long-anticipated change looked much different than expected for many incoming college students.
When access to a computer is essential to thrive in online learning, financial strains on families from the pandemic put a new laptop out of reach for many taking the next step in their educational journey. Fortunately, with support from Nordstrom, United Way of Greater Los Angeles was able to provide 9 thousand dollars in devices to more than 15 students. Every high school senior within the Young Civic Leaders Program (YCLP) who did not have a computer was given one so they could participate in college from home.
Young Civic Leaders Program
Here’s more information about the program from the United Way of LA:
Oscar, a 2020 graduate from Linda Esperanza Marquez High School, started school at UC Santa Barbara last Fall and is pursuing a degree in psychology. He characterizes the transition from high school to college as “disappointing, but understandable.”
“These are unprecedented times and I believed I would be on campus hands-on learning, but instead, I am doing school online currently with no choice,” Oscar states.
Hyewon, also a recent graduate, finished her senior year virtually at Alexander Hamilton High School. She will be attending USC this Spring, and is currently taking courses at LACC.
“Surprisingly, the transition from high school to the first semester of college wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Hyewon said. “There is still a part of me that is adjusting from in-person classes to a full-on online experience but overall I was able to find some thoughtful and caring professors.”
In the midst of this transition, Oscar has focused on staying physically and socially healthy. He credits his perseverance, UWGLA and the YCLP as critical sources of support.
“The laptop has been a great resource for my studies as it has allowed me to invest in my education.” Oscar said. “YCLP and United Way can continue spreading important information about resources and current world events because there are students that need it the most.”
Though he isn’t particularly happy with the arrangement, Oscar has flourished through his computer screen.
“The experience is not as enriching as in-person class, but if you try to put in that effort and see past the negatives that are not in your control, then you can get the most out of something, and in this case, it’s education.”
Before she was given the laptop, Hyewon and her sister shared one, which can be difficult since they both needed to be online for schooling. At the peak of her hardship, YCLP and Communities in Schools helped her transition to be supported with a new laptop which has made things much better.
As Hyewon continues her transition into college in the midst of a pandemic, she credits her family and YCLP for helping her stay positive in these uncertain times.
“I remember during the first few quarantine months it was when I was spending my last few days as a senior at YCLP. Kat and Shekinah from Communities in Schools reached out for my well being and even provided additional help with the challenges my family and I were facing during the pandemic,” Hyewon said.
Hyewon found out about YCLP via Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), an organization that provides underserved youth with free, exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics within a nurturing environment.
“YCLP really caught my eye because during that time my work in the community was also focused on social justice and advocacy in the Los Angeles area,” Hyewon remarked. “Joining in, I met really supportive individuals and like-minded students who were so passionate and caring about community issues and the staff was also super inclusive and welcoming. ”
Although Hyewon is not a morning person, she said she knew that her Saturday mornings at YCLP would leave her with deep-rooted conversations and thoughts. She mentions that she is so thankful for the experiences she had at YCLP.
“Just the idea of being in a community where I was able to learn and grow really gave me strength as a minority and especially residing in such a busy city,” Hyewon said. “The amount of support YCLP provided really made me say: “wow I should really encourage my little sister to join. I hope that this program continues to exist and share the wonderful opportunities they have in store!”
Hyewon is still amazed that YCLP and UWGLA strive to continue to find more ways to support and aid students in any possible way.
“I believe that just continuing that momentum and support will go a long way to so many other students who are also feeling the same way of disappointment on the current issues our society is facing or even curiosity of learning about their community,” she said.
We are honored to help these students on their journeys into adulthood. This is a very difficult time and a sensitive transition. We are grateful to have the opportunity to help YCLP students.
From United Way Los Angeles:
We’re on a mission to permanently break the cycle of poverty for our most vulnerable neighbors: low-income families, students, veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
That means tackling the big problems. The ones people think can’t be solved. The ones that require leaders across sectors to unite and design groundbreaking solutions to our biggest problems. And by focusing on education, housing, and economic mobility, we can attack poverty at its roots to ensure better lives for all Angelenos.
Real and sustaining change requires more than money. By focusing on local, state, and national public policy, we fight poverty’s root causes through the systems that sustain them. We led the fight that resulted in nearly $5 billion in civic funds being dedicated to solutions to ending poverty. Watch the videos below to learn more about our role in the community.
Los Angeles, CA. Westside Pacific Villages is a nonprofit organization in LA that helps older adults stay in their own homes. For many senior citizens, the pandemic has exacerbated the feeling of seclusion. The majority of senior citizens feel uncomfortable shopping at their local grocery stores, ordering online, or running errands. That is where the Westside Pacific Village volunteers step in. Instead of driving the senior citizens to the grocery store, Westside Pacific Villages organized pickups and deliveries to the resident’s homes as seen above.
While the pandemic has increased the amount of isolation that senior citizens experience on a day-to-day basis there has been an influx of volunteers who have stepped up to the plate to deliver food and assist residents while maintaining social distancing and adhering to all Los Angeles County regulations.
“We have fared very well, during the pandemic. When this all hit. We not only canceled the social activities, but rides to the grocery store, YMCA, and weekly hair appointments,” says Executive Director Carol Kitabayashi. Prior to the pandemic, Westside Pacific Village hosted, art workshops, exercise classes, and social events. Since March of 2020, the organization has been using virtual platforms to communicate. Weekly phone calls are being held to assist the senior citizens with this process so that they can communicate on a consistent basis with other members. The virtual volunteer lead activities include tea & chat, Thanksgiving holiday events, New Year’s Eve celebration, book club, and baking. With the virtual session’s kids, grown-ups and seniors have all been joining in on the fun.
WPV’s mission has always been focused on supporting the oldest residents in our community by enabling them to remain active and engaged in the homes and neighborhoods they love, combating another serious health risk and epidemic for seniors, social isolation, and loneliness. With the closure of many non-essential facilities and L.A. County’s Safer at Home Order, the vital social components of WPV such as transportation services, social activities/events, and in-person friend visits have been interrupted. As a result, WPV quickly adjusted by placing a heavier emphasis on: (1) increased phone communication through its existing Call a Neighbor CAN Program, and (2) running errands, another exiting program benefit, through contactless delivery services.
Westside Pacific Villages is a nonprofit organization that helps older adults stay in their own homes. Some have mistaken the organization for being a senior care facility, but Westside Pacific Villages is a community-based nonprofit, driven by dedicated volunteers who go directly to the senior citizen’s residence to assist them. Unlike many non-profits who are based solely in the communities that they serve. Kitabayashi explains, “Westside Pacific Villages is a part of a nationwide phenomenon with about three-hundred similar organizations.” The model is simple, volunteers go out into their local communities to provide basic assistance; anything from changing a lite bulb, driving to a doctor’s appointment, or delivering groceries. A community spanning from the East to West coast. This simple yet highly effective model continues to cultivate unity throughout the Los Angeles communities they serve.
Here’s a video about the program:
Rodney is a WPV volunteer and donor. He’s also helping to promote the 2021 WPV Calendar.
As we age, we learn to differentiate and recognize the difference between being physically alone vs. being lonely. As we go through life, we can sometimes forget about the ones who came before us. The ones who paved the way. Westside Pacific Villages is a fantastic organization shining the light on and supporting forgotten communities throughout Los Angeles. The Westside Pacific Villages program is currently FREE of cost. The organization is looking for ways to broaden opportunities for all senior citizens in varying income brackets in the future. If you know anyone who is in need during this trying time or looking for ways to donate call: (310) 695-7030 or click HERE!
Los Angeles, CA. 2020 has been an unprecedented year with the loss of over 315,000 lives, the closing of thousands of local businesses, which has left thousands of families food-deprived. Organizations like No Us Without You LA continues to be a pioneer in the Los Angeles community, providing meals for undocumented Back Of House Staff and their families living in the Los Angeles area.
No Us Without You LA is a public charity. While the stimulus packages and government assistance programs have been provided for those in need, families of undocumented works are not privy to these subsidies.
Nonprofit leaders say that access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner should not be an American privilege but a human right. They believe that as a community, we must not forget about the workers and their families who sacrifice and work hard to put food on our tables. “Your kind gesture this holiday season will provide an entire family one week’s worth of meals. If you are looking to give a week’s worth of meals, or simply donate visit No Us Without You LA,” leaders explain.
Here’s a video about the organization:
A brief history of No US Without You LA:
We are Va’La Hospitality
Va’La Hospitality is a bar consultancy group founded by Damian Diaz and Othón Nolasco in 2017 from a desire to give back to their industry. Rather than agonize over how undocumented workers affected by COVID-19 would feed their families, the two partners acted. And in just 24 hours they founded No Us Without You, a 501c3 Non-Profit Public Charity providing food security to the most disenfranchised hospitality workers affected by the pandemic. No Us Without You has transformed Va’La Hospitality’s Boyle Heights office into a food distribution hub. Donations have enabled the two partners to provide dry goods and fresh produce to undocumented back-of-house staff such as dishwashers, bussers, line cooks, and porters. Launched in mid-March with a goal of feeding 30 families a week, No Us Without You is now feeding over 1,300 families per week. Diaz and Nolasco plan on offering food relief indefinitely as they have embraced their new roles as Nonprofit Co-Founders. They are proud to be Humans Feeding Humans.
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