Santa Clarita, Calif. – The City of Santa Clarita’s first inclusive play area is coming to Canyon Country Park, following the City Council’s approval of a contract to begin the project at its meeting on February 12, 2019. The play area, which will include elements that welcome those of all abilities, is planned to open in late 2019.

Playgrounds can offer many opportunities to further develop physical, cognitive, sensory and social skills. An inclusive design includes a balance of play experiences to build these skills. The project will include the design and construction of a new inclusive play area at Canyon Country Park, located at 17615 Soledad Canyon Road, where everyone, regardless of ability or age, will be able to play, learn and grow together. The play area will include a shade structure and will measure approximately 8,500 square feet upon completion.

“Play is the universal language of children,” said Mayor Marsha McLean. “All children, regardless of ability, should be able to enjoy the playgrounds in our parks and this new inclusive playground in Canyon Country Park will make that possible.  Inclusive playgrounds mean that all children will be able to enjoy mingling and friend-making, and we are proud to provide this opportunity.”

New seating areas for children and adults will be joined by new landscaping surrounding the play area. Accessible connections to existing facilities, including the preschool building, restrooms, picnic shelter, walkways, trails and parking will also be added to Canyon Country Park.

The City of Santa Clarita will hold two public outreach meetings to obtain community input and feedback about the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2019, with project completion anticipated for the end of this year.

Tickets Start at $28 and Benefit Local Schools and Non-Profits

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Dust off your mitt and step into your stirrups! The Santa Clarita City Council invites residents to purchase tickets now for the 42nd Annual City of Santa Clarita Dodger Day. Watch the two-time reigning National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, take on the NL East contenders Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 6:10 p.m. Tickets start as low as $28 per person and can be purchased online by visiting SCVDodgerDay.com.

A portion of each ticket purchased through the Dodger Day website will be donated back to local non-profits and schools. Attendees will be able to specify which charity or school they want to support during their registration. The purchase of a ticket enters your name into a drawing. There will be 15 lucky winners and a friend or chaperone, who will have the opportunity to attend batting practice before the game.

Fans in attendance will also receive a special Los Angeles Dodgers lightweight hoodie, while supplies last. Fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to receive their giveaway item.

Ticket prices range from $28 Preferred Reserve seats to $80 Loge Box MVP seats. Fans will also be able to purchase tickets in the Coca-Cola Right Field Pavilion, which includes unlimited Dodger Dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, Coke products and water. Those who purchase tickets in this section will enjoy the game with the Dodgers’ four-legged fans, as it is also Pups in the Park night.

A limited amount of tickets are available in each seating tier. Each school and non-profit group that sells more than 10 tickets will receive a rebate. For more information, please visit SCVDodgerDay.com or contact Elizabeth Arambula (661) 250-3734.

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Wildlife Expert Peter Gros shares his exciting animal world, travel experiences, timeless tales and adventures with a mix of video clips and bloopers. He will introduce friendly exotic animals and share inspirational stories about conservation, travel and wildlife filming. His fascinating stories have been thrilling and educating audiences across the country for years. As seen on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Live! With Regis & Kelly, The Today Show, The Tonight Show, and Animal Planet.

In his popular live presentations, Peter shares his exciting animal world, travel experiences and timeless tales. He highlights his many adventures with a mix of video clips and bloopers, while introducing friendly exotic animals to audience members, and telling inspirational stories dealing with issues of conservation, travel, and wildlife filming. Peter’s fascinating stories have been thrilling and educating audiences across the country for years.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23 | 1 & 5 P.M.

$35 / $30 / $25

Beverly Hills, Calif. – Kaleidoscope will bring over 40 musicians to the Bram Goldsmith stage for an evening of Beethoven, Prokofiev — featuring pianist Irene Kim — and a brilliant contemporary work by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw. Kaleidoscope is a conductorless chamber orchestra dedicated to enriching lives through exhilarating concert experiences that connect diverse communities of Los Angeles.

Feb 23 | 07:30 PM

KALEIDOSCOPE

Critically-Acclaimed Ensemble Is One of Only a Few Professional
Conductorless Chamber Orchestras in the World

with IRENE KIM, PIANO

Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission

Venue: BRAM GOLDSMITH THEATER

CAROLINE SHAW Entr’acte (for string orchestra)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

Read the program essay here.

Newport Beach, Calif. — The Newport Beach Jazz Party 2019 kicks off today, February 14, for a weekend jazz party featuring a cavalcade of jazz greats including the great Jack Jones and more.

Other artists include. Tom Scott Trio, Arturo Sandoval, Shelly Berg, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Hamilton, John Clayton, Scott Hamilton, Houston Person, Tierney Sutton, Wycliffe Gordon, Larry Fuller, Akiko Tsuruga, Harry Allen, Chuck Berghofer, Yaacov Bergman, Gene Cipriano, Emmet Cohen Trio, Chris Colangelo, Bill Cunliffe, Graham Dechter, Cal State Fullerton Band, Mike Gurrola, Jon Hamar, Tamir Hendelman, Holly Hofmann, Clint Holmes, Christian Jacob, Kendall Kay, Joe LaBarbara, Butch Miles, Barbara Morrison, Darek Oles, Alan Pasqua, Ann Paterson and the Maiden Voyage All-Stars, The Mike Peak Experience, Tom Ranier, Chuck Redd, Brian Scanlon, Adam Schroeder, Terell Stafford, Ron Stout, James Suggs, Christian Tamburr, Katie Thiroux, Scott Whitfield, Matt Witek, Mike Wofford, Rickey Woodard and Ken Peplowski.

The Jazz Party is hosted at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, starting tonight at 5 p.m. with performances through the weekend. 

The Newport Beach Jazz Party is produced by Porchlight Hospitality’s Paul, Sue and Chris Lowden. Porchlight Hospitality is responsible for producing and programming this prestigious long-standing music series. Porchlight Hospitality, LLC, a division of Archon Corporation, is a full-service entertainment company with a heavy focus on Jazz and Country music. Porchlight’s footprint in the jazz world is significant among artists, managers, record companies, concert producers, bookers, talent buyers and social media marketing experts.

About Porchlight Hospitality LLC

Porchlight Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Archon Corporation, is a full-service entertainment company with a heavy focus on Jazz and Country music. Porchlight’s footprint in the jazz world is as significant as artists, managers, record and concert producers, bookers, talent buyers and social media marketing experts. The prestigious Newport Beach Jazz Party, a 23-year jazz festival in Newport Beach, CA, is a priority Porchlight property. 

The company also owns and operates the World-Famous Stoney’s Rockin’ Country venue in Las Vegas. In 2018 the storied nightclub was voted by the Las Vegas Review Journal as the #1 country club in Las Vegas and the venue was nominated for Nightclub of the Year at the Academy of Country Music’s Honors Awards. Regarded as the west coast home of the country music industry, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country presents marquee national emerging country music acts annually. Porchlight buys talent and produces entertainment events for casinos, festivals and music venues across the nation in multiple formats. In addition, they provide social media marketing for special events across multiple casinos. Country AF Radio is Porchlight’s internet radio station with loyal listeners worldwide. CAF Radio not only programs the top country artists but focuses on exposing emerging artists whose music you won’t hear elsewhere.

Tickets are available for purchase on https://newportbeachjazzparty.com/tickets/ or by calling 949.205.1252.

A look back at the 1989 Oscars, 61st Annual Academy Awards the last time without a host, introducing the Stars of Tomorrow….

Hollywood, Calif. – Looking back at the 1989 61st Ceremony! Thanks for the memories!How lovely it was!

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners¬—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

Hollywood, Calif. – With the 91^st Academy Awards just 10 days away, WalletHub today released its 2019 Oscars Facts report, which includes an infographic filled with fun facts about the event as well as a Q&A with a panel of entertainment experts.

Here are some highlights from the report:

• $44M: Total cost of Oscars ceremony
   
• $10M: Cost of the look for an A-list actress attending the Oscars
   
• $2.6M+: Cost of a 30-second commercial during the Oscars telecast (50% less than the Super Bowl)
   
• $24.7K: Cost of the 16,500-square-foot Oscars red carpet
   
• $400: Current value of the 24-karat gold-plated Oscar statuette
   
• 2^nd time: The Oscar telecast will not have a host (first since 1989)

“Look, it’s a gig that has all eyes on it. And when you’re doing something that’s that much in the spotlight, with that much focus on it, that much intensity, you’re going to have a lot of opinions from a lot of people. I’m trying to think of the last time that I read a review of the Oscars the next day where everyone is raving about it—it’s been a long time.” – Seth McFarlane

Oscar turns 91 in 2019. And like many seniors who came of age in a different era, this golden guy has had a tough time adapting. Hollywood’s biggest bugaboos – racial and gender equality – are far from resolved. But the movie industry’s stars say time’s up, and much of the fanbase echoes that sentiment with a chorus of me-toos – partly why the ceremony has no host for the first time in 30 years. The nominations for the 91st Academy Awards also include a record number of women.

Whom Oscar goes home with remains to be seen, of course. The same also goes for whether PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 85th time tallying the votes will produce another Moonlight-esque switcheroo. But you don’t have to wait to get in the Oscars spirit. There are lots of great movies to catch up on, plus plenty of interesting Oscars stats to dig into.

To help you get psyched for Hollywood’s biggest night, WalletHub did our homework on everything from box office sales and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for the Best Picture nominees to the price of awards-season lobbying. You can find all of these awesome Oscars fun facts in the infographic below. And that’s followed by a Q&A on the state of the film industry with a panel of entertainment experts. Enjoy the show!

Source: WalletHub . Presented by WalletHub Feb 14, 2019  |  John S Kiernan, Senior Writer & Editor

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Put on your cowboy boots and get ready for some fun at the Canyon in Santa Clarita for a Special Valentine’s Event!

Get Started with Fantastic Diamond is an incredible live tribute show that takes the audience on a journey of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits that span the last 40 years. Performed by vocalist Kevin Hogan and five incredible musicians behind him. Kevin possesses the unique ability to perform and sound just like Neil Diamond, This uncanny talent enables Fantastic Diamond to recreate and perform the music in a way that makes you feel like you’re seeing the real thing.

February 14, 2019

Doors 6pm.  Headliner 8:00pm

$19.50 + applicable fees

If you purchase a ticket at a table you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend is $25.00 per person.

Under 18 Must Be Accompanied by a Paying Adult.

Special Start time TONIGHT in Santa Clarita! 
Valentines Day, NO DANCE LESSONS TONIGHT & 
Doors at 9pm!!! 
DJ Cody in the mix playing your favorite line dances, two steps and couples dances. See y’all tonight!

Click Here or visit www.ush.cn for Booking Information

Universal City, CA, February 13, 2019 – Universal Studios Hollywood enhances its premium VIP Experience with the introduction of Mandarin-speaking guides offering guests an opportunity to experience the world-famous theme park and historic backlot by in-language experts.

            Mandarin VIP Experience tours will be offered on a weekly basis through June 1, 2019. For more information and to book a reservation, guests can visitwww.ush.cn and www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com or call 818-622-8477.

            The Mandarin VIP Experience complements Universal Studios Hollywood’s popular VIP Experience.  Helmed by expertly-trained tour guides, the VIP Experience offers guests from around the world a front row seat to the magic of movie and television production with escorted express access to all rides and attractions, behind-the-scenes access to movie and television sets and soundstages, including the legendary Property Warehouse and the Costume Department, along with exclusive entry to a reserved VIP lounge, a gourmet buffet lunch in a private dining room prepared by the theme park’s executive chef and valet parking.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s VIP Experience is a full-day adventure that has guests traveling in style aboard specially-designed trolleys equipped with LED monitors featuring clips from movies and TV shows previously filmed on the lot to add further context to the exclusive tours.

Adding to the insider’s look at the legendary studio, guests are invited to disembark and explore areas of the backlot typically inaccessible to the general public. From realistic exterior sets such as the New York Streets where scenes in such blockbusters as Transformers and The Sting were filmed to the iconic Courthouse Square made famous in the Back to the Future movies and To Kill a Mocking Bird, VIP Experience guests can walk along the same sets that have been immortalized in countless films, television shows and commercials.

Highlights of the VIP Experience also include visits to Universal’s famed Property Warehouse and Costume Department.  Built in 1915, the 130,000 square-foot, four-story facility contains over 400,000 unique items representing virtually every set dressing and handheld article ever created for the big or small screen, and the Costume Department features a diverse collection of over 800,000 articles of clothing, costumes, accessories and jewelry required for any production spanning across time.

The VIP Experience also features escorted express access and reserved seating at Universal Studios rides and attractions, including “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and the outdoor family coaster, “Flight of the Hippogriff™ located in “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” the multi-sensory attraction DreamWorks Theatre Featuring “Kung Fu Panda” and one of the park’s most popular thrill rides, “Transformers™:  The Ride—3D.” 

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction and the all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  The adjacentUniversal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.