Tuesday, March 28, 2017

HAUNTING FACE 3.0, MARIA GAMBARELLI, 1922





First three photos of this haunting visage were by George Maillard Kesslere in 1922. Here's who she was--

Born in Italy in 1900, Maria Gambarelli came to New York as a child, studied with Anna Pavlova, was photographed by Edward Steichen and many others, and eventually found ballet employ at the Metropolitan Opera of New York, attaining position of Ballet Mistress in 1939. 

In between she had popularized synchronized ballet troupes called "Gamby's Girls" as live entertainment before the films at movie houses like NYC's The Roxy. This concept evolved into the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. 

Her later images with peroxided, permed tresses (see left pic) make her a tad difficult to recognize except for her ever-present, underlying beauty..

Monday, March 13, 2017

CHEETAH CHROME live at the WHISKY A GOGO 2.16.17: All This And More Tour

Superb show 2.16.17 at the Whisky A GoGo starring Cheetah Chrome celebrating the 40th anniversary of his CBGB punk darlings The Dead Boys. Wild and fun: there's nothing like the authenticity of an O.G...
 

Jake from the tribute band The Undead Boys providing vocals for actual Cheetah Chrome Dead Boys' songs!









Also, raunchy vocals from Ames Flames, genial, longtime guitar tech and associate of Cheetah's.



















PHOTO OPS:
 It all starts out okay and fine, then...Left to right, Lisa Lee, Cheetah Chrome, Evita Corby

 Below, California Rocker Editor Donna Balancia and Mr. Chrome
 Rock and roll couturier Evita Corby with Cheetah enthusiast Amè Kali; Evita and Jake Perry, current booker for The Whisky. Similar vocational directions for the latter pairing: Ms. Corby once managed On The Rox and worked at the Roxy.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

JOHN KAY AND STEPPENWOLF with THE HAILERS at The Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills 3.3.17



He was born Joachim Fritz Krauledat, April 12,1944 in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany, now Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, so one can understand why he might have anglicized his name in the 1960s to JOHN KAY.

As lead singer of Steppenwolf in the '60s and beyond, Kay's gruff, emphatic vocals helped concoct and sell a slew of psychedelic hits for this Hollywood, Calif. by way of Canada band, most of them still heard today in all sorts of film soundtracks: "Magic Carpet Ride," "Sukie Sukie," "The Pusher" "Rock Me" and of course the anthem written by the late Steppenwolf drummer Jerry Edmonton's brother Mars Bonfire-- "Born To Be Wild," official hymn of bikers everywhere.
With a so stellar a setlist one can imagine what a well-received show this was for longstanding and new fans. In great shape and voice plus tough as ever, John Kay led his Steppenwolf in all the favorite songs and, unlike the old days and most of his contemporaries, WITHOUT SHADES !  Kudos to his "Save The Elephants" t-shirt too...

Overheard conversation of Steppenwolf fans,"I'm glad I got here early, the first band was really good!" Which would be THE HAILERS, ten fine musicians dedicated to writing and performing original material that fits right in with classic rock-- catchy, rocking and occasionally winsome material which they call Future Retro. 

Below, Lord and Lady Hailer Robert Mills and April Carson; assortments of all these Hailers onstage at the Saban Theatre
 
Mention should be made of the gorgeous Art Deco Saban Theatre of Beverly Hills, Calif. Above is a detail of its beautifully restored ceiling.

PHOTO OPS:
 
 Left, Art Deco gals April Carson of The Hailers and California Rocker Editor Donna Balancia; right, your humble photojournalist plus April, guest photographer 
© 2017 Donna Balancia.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

AFTER THE RAIN 2017


 Above, during the rains, Gia the Scottish Deerhound cozy in her hearthside place by the fire, with Deerhound effigy I drew in the background...

Below, fortunate end to our six-year drought in Southern California, wherein we had received about the same rainfall as the Sahara desert, 3 - 6" per annum. Not necessarily enjoyed by equines Indy and Cody in their new pasture digs with shelter...
 
Below, much more acceptable to them, my friend Liz's Arabian Cody and my National Show Horse Indy in their new pasture digs with oodles of horseworthy space on a clear day after the rains.
 Guest photographer © 2017 Kurt Ingham, noting the blazing verdancy of our back yard after six drought-stricken years of dirt and weeds. Gia and Sarabelle definitely approve of this new development...

SOUPçON OF MARSUPIALS



...well...maybe it is! Gremlins come to life in a pygmy opposum? Better to get a quokka (third pic) or raise a baby wombat in a sanctuary.
 
For further convincing, witness the cuteness overload of rescued baby wombat below:


video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCZ9Zyi6XaA
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