Retro Holiday Slide Show

Just wanted to let you all know that I saw Charles Phoenix' Retro Holiday Slide Show last night at the Egyptian Theatre (and almost hit Harrison Ford with my car on the way home, if you can believe that!)

Anyway - all you fans of retro & 40s-50s-60s kitsch really shouldn't miss this one! For those of you who don't know, Charles has been collecting vintage slides from Swap Meets & Flea Markets for many years. He has been presenting the ongoing collection in a series he calls "God Bless Americana". The latest being the Holiday edition. If you've had the privilege to see Charles at work, you know how great a show it is. He really makes you feel like you've travelled back in time to the 1950s. And Charles is a master of the droll comment - some really funny & nostalgic stuff! You can get more info at his website:

http://www.godblessamericana.com/

OK - so that's my pitch! The Holiday shows run until Dec. 14th. If you live in Southern California - do your best to see one of his shows - you won't be disappointed!
[Image removed by Hanford... see Futura Girl's post below for the smaller one]

"Oh mystic powers - hear my call...
From my limbs, let new life fall..."
http://home.earthlink.net/~cdylanm/

[ Edited by: Tangaroa on 2002-11-15 17:07 ]

[ Edited by: Tangaroa on 2002-11-15 17:08 ]

[ Edited by: hanford_lemoore on 2002-11-15 20:12 ]

Whoa! Sorry about the size on that one - I'll try & fix it....

On 2002-11-15 17:05, Tangaroa wrote:
Just wanted to let you all know that I saw Charles Phoenix' Retro Holiday Slide Show last night at the Egyptian Theatre (and almost hit Harrison Ford with my car on the way home, if you can believe that!)

Did you almost hit Calista too?
:roll:

Nope! We were looking for her tho....The cop who waved us through probably wouldn't have appreciated it....

i fixed it for our forum tangarooooo

I see Thejab is carving the turkey in one of those images!!

OK, I see a slight resemblance, but it's pretty slight.

You can tell I'm a tiki freak 'cause I'm looking at the tiki bowl and not the mystery girl! Believe me, I looked at her plenty after the picture was taken.

Here goes again:

I guess you can't share a shutterfly page until you share a photo. Is that right Mig? Bear with me, I'm a computer specialist for a living.

Sorry folks! 3rd. time's a charm:

I also highly recommend Mr. Phoenix's shows. I've been attending them since 1997(?). His funny and live narration calls attention to the various idiosyncracies of the average American in average American scenes. It's a great evening of live entertainment while also getting to see an amazing collection of vintage slides like a scrapbook of our nation's Modern memories. In his usual shows dealing with travel and vacation slides, you also get to see many tourist spots that no longer exist. So be sure to return for those shows when they resume.

I also highly recommend Mr. Phoenix's shows. I've been attending them since 1997(?). His funny and live narration calls attention to the various idiosyncracies of the average American in average American scenes. It's a great evening of live entertainment while also getting to see an amazing collection of vintage slides like a scrapbook of our nation's Modern memories. In his usual shows dealing with travel and vacation slides, you also get to see many tourist spots that no longer exist. So be sure to return for those shows when they resume.

Thanks for fixing the pic! Sorry it was so big....

"Oh mystic powers - hear my call...
From my limbs, let new life fall..."
http://home.earthlink.net/~cdylanm/

[ Edited by: Tangaroa on 2002-11-18 10:35 ]

We should have a Tiki Central Night at this slide show. Charles would love to have a group of TCers come see his show. I was notified that they will give us a group discount. We would pay $15 dollars each instead of $20. It was suggested that we go this Friday night. The Saturday night shows have been booked and certain Fridays have been, too. If this Friday is too soon, we should inquire about availability on other nights. Is anyone up for it?

I was gonna try to see it... but if you can swing a discount.... even better! You can count me in, so far.....

:tiki:

Cool. Do you think this Friday is a good date for it?

Hey, Vintagegirl, Futuragirl, CB, Tiki Gardener, Sven - have you guys seen this one yet?

I can do Friday.

Friday works for me!

I wonder if more people would be able to make it if we did it next Friday the 29th?

Next Friday the 29th is Bong's mini-crawl in San Diego:

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?topic=1734&forum=4&13

BTW Tina - did you get my email? I still owe you some $$$ and I won't be at the Harbor Cruise on 12/14! Shoot me an email so we can discuss.

sorry, no can do on a friday night :(
but i highly recommend mr. pheonix's show.
a splendid time is guarunteed for all...

we think we may go to one of the show dates closer to the winter solstice holiday in mid dec.

Hey guys, let's do it this Friday anyway. You still on?

I'm still up for it

:tiki:

All interested parties should meet in the forecourt of the Egyptian at 7:30? 7:45? Here is some logistical info I found on Charles' site:

"The Egyptian is located on 6712 Hollywood Blvd, 1 block east of Highland, in Hollywood.

Parking: We recommend parking on Las Palmas, north of Hollywood Blvd,in the Prestige lot (west side of the street) which is $3 after validation at the Egyptian box office."

[ Edited by: floratina on 2002-11-22 10:23 ]

Wish I could make it, Charles Phoenix is a dedicated Urban Archeologist whose book "LEIS, LUAUS and ALOHAS- The Lure of Hawaii in the Fifties" perfectly complements The Book Of Tiki in imagery from the islands...

Tell him hi from me.

I just spoke with the show's producer and he says it is better to get there early. SO, think 7:30 is the time to aim for.

Sorry kids, Atomic and I just saw it. It was great! His shows just keep getting better. The Easter bonnet lady, Santa's Village, front lawn Christmas displays, fetish games, dresses that match one's home decor, savory jello molds, ruffled Early American lampshades, Christmas gifts, and cafeteria workers' Halloween parties were among some of the memorable images. And of course, with narration delivered with humor and a little irony......and popcorn with the show now adds a whole new dimension as well! Go see it before it's over!

Oh, and if you go, another parking option is the Hollywood & Highland parking complex only one and a half blocks away. You can park there for 4 hours with validation from the Egyptian theater and it's onlu $2.00. Entrance is on Orange, just east of the Chinese theater (or on Highland if you're coming from the north).

[ Edited by: vintagegirl on 2002-11-22 20:12 ]

and don't forget the interior shots of the Thanksgiving turkey slaughterhouse! Yum, makes me want to pop one right in the oven!

I saw the show with Floratina & friend last night... it was great! What a time warp! Not to forget our brief street entertainment by the hari krishnas... If you can make it, I highly recommend the show. If you wait 'til after Thanksgiving, and you can also enjoy all of the holiday splendor that is Hollywood Blvd... with special treats like the L Ron Hubbard Winter Wonderland!

And cocktails after at Boardners was great... I'd describe the place as a 'gourmet dive bar'. Try the appetizers!

Thanks, Tina! I had a great time! you give good h.....ollywood!

Thanks to you all for the kuddos! We're glad you enjoyed the slide show! Yep, Charles is pretty amazing. Not one night is the same.

BTW, the LaLa Times came over and reviewed the REtro Holiday Slide Show. See:
http://www.calendarlive.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug=cl%2Det%2Dstage22nov22&section=%2Fstage%2Ftheater

Thank you so much for all your good work - both in the Tiki & real World.
x
D-J Haanraadts
producer of "God Bless Americana"
http://www.godblessamericana.com
866-SLIDESHOW

[The subject thread is a bit out of date, but in the spirit of posting to relevant threads...]

Thought I'd post a little notice from Charles Phoenix of GodBlessAmericana repute. Highly highly recommend his bus tour described in the forwarded message below, for Angelenos and visitors alike! A rare opportunity to get a guided tour of some great sights and sites in LA!

-Randy

Hello Folks!!!

There are just two more chances for you to take THE "DISNEYLAND" TOUR OF
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES SUNDAYS APRIL 18 & MAY 2, 2004, 12 to 6 PM
On this action packed, fun filled tour you'll rediscover heart and soul of
our city as I have- it's a theme park! You'll never see downtown the same
way again!
For tickets, more info and the itinerary please go to:
http://www.godblessamericana.com/downtown

And to those going to Viva Las Vegas, Charles Phoenix will be doing slide shows in the Showroom on Friday at 8:30PM, and on Sunday at 9PM.

The appearance of Southern Californialand as Product of the Day today is spurring me to spread the good word about Charles Phoenix! I ordered this book from Charles at Hukilau, and I just received it the other day -- it's a fascinating look at what life was like in the paradise of Southern California during the '50s and '60s. If you ever have an opportunity to see one of his presentations, GO, he's got an astounding wit on him. The slides in his collection are worth it alone, but in combination with his ability to pull together a great narrative (and actually relate a bit about the real lives of the people in the slides), it's really not to be missed.

http://www.godblessamericana.com/

His annual Retro Holiday Slide Show is underway again, with performances in Hollywood through November and December, and he's got a few shows scheduled in Orange County, too.

Humu is right - Southern Californialand is a wonderful book (and the fact that I have a slide from my collection in there has nothing to do with it, I swear)! Both Charles newest book & Dumb Angel Gazette #4 are my favorite "retro" publications of the year so far... Go pick them up now!