The November Issue's out!

It's here! The November issue, like the classy little minx it is, proves that fashionably early is the new fashionably late. This month, you'll read all about beating the "winter white" via Unique Tan (whose Mission Viejo salon is the largest tanning salon in California).

You'll read about the history of Southern California's oldest court building (that's often used for Hollywood filming), you'll read about what inspires OC author T. Jefferson Parker, and you'll read about a cool local nonprofit organization that provides professional clothing to unemployed and disadvantaged OC-ers reentering the work place.

You'll also find pages of recipes for the holidays, DIY instructions for four great crafty decor pieces, and a calendar of November events in OC.

You can find all these articles, recipes, event listings, DIYs, and more on The OC Gazette website!
If you're one of those print-loving, hard-copy holding sort of folks (you're not alone!), you can find out how to get your paws on a copy of the magazine by clicking here.

From all of us to you, we wish you an early, very happy November! Let's ring in fall with the November issue, the premiere of Conan on TBS on 11/8, and some hot apple cider! *Cue warm fuzzy feelings.*

-Blythe

on grooveshark.com: Animal Collective's "My Girls"

Warped Tour Review

Vans Warped Tour, North America’s longest running annual touring festival celebrated a sweet sixteen anniversary this year. The punk rock extravaganza launched June 25, 2010 at Carson’s Home Depot Center. Forty-three stops across the country later, the tour culminated on Sunday, August 15 at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro, Oregon. 3OH!3, Andrew W.K., Dropkick Murphy’s, Mike Posner, Sum 41 and some of Orange County’s favorites- The Adolescents, Agent Orange, Fast Forward Romance, Longway, Manic Hispanic and Reel Big Fish- include just a few of the hundreds of bands on the 2010 lineup. I was lucky enough to catch two stops on the whirlwind tour – June 27 at Ventura County Fairground at Seaside Park and August 11 at the Pomona Fairplex.

They say a picture's worth a thousand words; if that's the case, these ones are worth at least 6,000 words. Here are a selection of photos from my experience with this year's Tour:

[Vans music and marketing guru, Kurt Soto, representing the anarchy]

[Andrew W.K. and all his friends performing on the main stage at Pomona Fairplex]

[The AP Magazine family hanging tight]

[Tazy Phyllipz of The Ska Parade with Luke Allen, Producer of OC Music Awards]

[Kevin Scoles of Ernie Ball with Automatic Love Letter bassist Clint Fowler]

[Warped Tour 2010 fashion statements]

 Thanks Warped Tour! Happy 16th and I'll see you next year!

-Ashley Eckenweiler

Free Agency Drama

I've been faithfully keeping up with my favorite blogs and sports news sites to stay up to date on all the latest draft and free agency drama in the NBA, the Marsha Brady of sports, and it's less popular and less attractive sister - the NHL, the Jan Brady of sports. First, I'd like to point out that if you're looking for drama, forget Jersey Shore or The Hills or the new season of Real World and just tune into the spectacle that is the NBA free agency. Where will Lebron go? Will Dwayne Wayde and Chris Bosh go with him? And for us Lakers fans: Will the Lakers stop lowballing Derek Fisher? Will Shannon Brown resign? Will Adam Morrisson return? I mean who's going to chase the loose balls and restock the basketball racks?! The NHL free agency theatrics are just as nail biting for Ducks fans: Will Teemu Selanne come back after all? Will Bobby Ryan stay with the Ducks? And on it goes. I need a Tums just thinking about it.

In a time of such uncertainty, it's nice to know that I can count on two things:

[ Phil is back! Photo by Christian Peterson, Getty Images. ]

1. Phil Jackson is coming back to the Lakers. Looks like another Lakers three-year reign is in our future! I can see Kobe now - the Larry O'Brien hoisted high in one hand, the 2011 Finals MVP trophy in the other while awkwardly trying to lift up six fingers. 

[18 year old Etem in his shiny new Ducks uniform.]

2. The Ducks hit it big with 1st round draft pic and local Long Beach native, Emerson Etem. The quick center was just as happy to join the Ducks as the Ducks were to have him. "I couldn't have fallen to a better organization. They're just all class," said Etem. "With the Ducks picking me, a California-born hockey player, I just have so much opportunity. It couldn't be a better fit for me." Emerson finished out the 09-10 Season with 37 goals, 28 assists, 65 points, and 28 PIM in 72 games with Junior League team the Medicine Hat Tigers. Not too shabby.

Here's a little about Etem, courtesy of the official Ducks site. Seems like a well rounded young man with excellent taste... well excepting the Ke$ha reference.

EMERSON ETEM'S FAVORITES

NHL Player: Ilya Kovalchuk
Shootout move: “Around the Puck”
Goal celebration: “Stick in the air”
Movie: Life is Beautiful, Happy Gilmore
TV Show: Family Guy
Actor: Will Ferrell
Music Group: Bad Religion
Website: NHL.com
Book: Catcher in the Rye 
Pump-up song: “Tick Tock” by Ke$ha
Home cooked meal: Anything Mexican
Activities away from the rink: Surfing, Soccer, Basketball

Don't forget to check out our Calendar by clicking here to see where you can celebrate the birth of our country in true American fashion, by blowing stuff up!

Cheers friends!

- Amy

On my iTunes: Arctic Monkeys' "Fluorescent Adolescent" 

Rock the Runway

{left to right: Me, Francisco Barragan, Melissa Steepe, and Jennifer Hood (Art Director of The OC Gazette).}

Thanks to our friends over at Revolution Radio on 105.1fm, I won four tickets to attend Rock The Runway this year. Being in the magazine world you make a lot of wonderful and interesting friends. One such friend is the one-woman-PR-show also known as Ashley Eckenweiler. She’s the go-to girl for anything music related going on in OC. She does PR for the OC Music Awards, the Yost Theater, OsCene, (to name a few) and our topic of discussion - Rock the Runway.

Well Ashley, Bravo. What could have been a small, kitsch-y, college runway show was a production that looked like it belonged in LA’s fashion week as opposed to the Art Institute’s parking lot. The minute you got out of your car you were unsure if you were in the right place. Greeted by a black carpet, guests were ushered to the media wall for photos and then on into the school to pick up their passes and wristbands. Wristbands in hand, the guests made their way through the school to the “parking lot” where the adventure began. Professional quality lights, sound and cameras hung about the giant stage/catwalk, all being manned with the speed and ease of well seasoned pros by the army of event hands. Camped around the perimeter of the stage were booths and demonstrations galore: Paul Mitchell’s Model Search 2010, a Skateboarding demo, tons of food and two VIP tents.

{In the Silver VIP tent}

Being press, we had the silver VIP tent, and even if they offered me to go to the gold I would have stayed happily in the silver. Our tent was going off. The DJ was spinning all the tunes we wanted to hear, and those who weren’t happily eating, drinking and socializing were packed on the dancefloor. Free drinks and food (including a chocolate fondue fountain) kept everyone full and well watered and models from the runway show could be seen mingling amongst students, guests, and the occasional local celebrity (I saw Real Housewive of Orange County, Vicki Gunlavson and her entourage in our tent).

{Daniel Magana, the 1st place winner of the student fashion design competition hugging his model.}

The main event was the fashion show. On hand to judge the show and elect a winner was a guest panel made up of  Luis Brajas (Flaunt Magazine Editor-In-Chief), Mila Hermanovski (One of the final 3 designers on Project Runway Season 7), and Dina Cerchione (one of TV’s top wardrobe stylists and designers). Again, the students showed up looking less like 20-somethings and more like seasoned veterans. Each designer's line was carefully constructed with precision and detail. In many runway shows, the clothing seems more geared to further fashion as an art form that needs to be pushed to the outer limits of originality regardless of functionality or accessibility; at Rock the Runway, no originality or creativity was spared, but all the lines were clothing you looked at and said, “I want to wear that.” Each designer concocted their own perfect blend of inspiration and functionality for a runway show that thrilled the hundreds of attendees and even wowed the guest judges.

{Stryker with celebrity judge Luis Brajas}

The show was effortlessly MCed by KROQ’s Stryker, who looked unusually dapper in a penguin suit. The only time I remembered that I wasn’t in LA and was in fact in the Art Institute parking lot was when a brief power outage interrupted the fashion show. No one skipped a beat, however. The models kept strutting their stuff, oblivious to the technical difficulties, thriving off of the growing roar of cheers and clapping from the crowd.

{BLOK}

{The Raveonettes}

The night was closed out with the fulfillment of the “Rock” in “Rock the Runway” - a live show from Danish indie rock band The Raveonettes. The crowd was already primed and ready for the Nords, having just taken in the hip shaking beats of OC band BLOK. BLOK’s high energy show was only rivaled by The Ravonettes’. A dynamic duo of just lead singer/guitarist Sharin Foo and guitarist/bassist Sune Rose Wagner, you barely realize there isn’t a full backing band from the thick rock sound of songs like “Love In A Trashcan.”  My friends and I left the event like a bunch of chatty middle school girls, our excited conversation flying back and forth between exaltations of the fun that had just transpired and the loose planning of our future in the fashion world (starting with fashion school and wandering as far as the plotting of our Fall 2012 lines). 

- Amy

On my Blip.fm: Nancy Sinatra's "Bang, Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)"

Meet Vicki Gunvalson

Tonight from 7pm -9pm at the Borders at South Coast Plaza, you'll have the chance to meet Vicki Gunvalson, star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County." Vicki will be autographing copies of her latest book, More than a Housewife. Also on hand will be Jill Zarin of "The Real Housewives of New York" signing copies of her book Secrets of a Jewish Mother. 

Both Housewives will discuss their books, their experience on the TV reality series and hold a Q&A session with fans. They will be signing copies of their book immediately following the discussion. Books can be purchased at Borders before or during the event. 


Call Borders for more info at 714-432-7854!

Music, Art, Fashion, Lakers, and finding a cure for MS

[Stacy Clark who will be playing at the Yost tonight.]

[Beta Wolf. Photo by Jon]

MS Benefit Show @ The Yost Theatre: 
Get your foot tappin' and your body movin' for a noble cause. Local bands Stereofix, We Are The Pilots, Stacy Clark, Beta Wolf, The Relative Strangers, I Hate You Just Kidding and Brother Cecil will be joining forces to summon - no, not Captain Planet - but the gods of rock and roll to bless this show put on by Turkey & Friends in which all proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Each ticket is as precious as a Wonka Golden Ticket, because each includes a raffle ticket making the holder eligible to win free swag from event sponsors Stussy, Carlton Hair, Hurley, Paul Frank, and Obey. Quite a line up of bands and quite a lineup of sponsors. Rest assured that this will be a night well worth your money! It's all going down at the Yost Theater. Show starts at 7pm.

[Lakers feeling defeated. Photo by Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images]

Lakers Game vs. Utah Jazz @ Staples Center:
Grab a bar stool at your favorite dive bar or pizza joint, or head north until about Figueroa St. and look for the nearest shady guy holding a cardboard sign that reads "I need tickets." If you choose the second option to watch the Lakers try and hold on to whatever dignity they have left after that horrendous roadtrip, just make sure Shady McTicket-Hocker doesn't dissappear into the night before you're sure the tix you bought off him are legit enough to get you through the golden gates of the Staples Center. Either way, get to a jumbotron or tv screen near you and cheer on our ailing boys in purple and gold. They need to know we're behind them all the way! (Hopefully that "all the way" is all the way to the Playoffs!) Tip Off at 7:30pm.

[Higharchy of Wants, by Ron Pete]

"Le Match" Opens @ Hibbleton Gallery:
Check out the latest exhibit at  Hibbleton (one of the greatest cutting edge galleries in OC), "Le Match," curated by Bekka Utermohlen. The exhibit features artwork by Glenn Arthur, Ron Pete, Linda Kim, Josh Hart, Janet Kim, Ashley Park, and AmericanBlackheart.

[The Beginning, by Josh Hart]

Here's what the guys at Hibbleton had to say about the event: 

Le Match means The Game in French. Inspired by the growth and changes an artist's work goes through over the years, the curator built a show around the idea of a matching game. Could the audience match the artist's old work to their new work? How much has the artist grown? Do they have the same voice in their old work as they do in their new work? While at most shows people go to observe the art, at Le Match the audience is a vital part of the show itself. A contest will be held opening night which enters oneself into a raffle for an original Glenn Arthur drawing. All one has to do to enter is to correctly match up as many of the artists to their old work as possible. With an array of artists from Los Angeles and Orange County there will be an excellent blend of styles and visual flavors to feast one’s eyes on.

Bekka Utermohlen has curated various shows around Orange County in the past year. She is currently interning with Thinkspace Gallery out in Los Angeles and runs art and music blog My Favorite MAOI.

Afterparty next door at Mulberry St. Ristorante, featuring the Hibbleton Sound Machine, with DJs Jesse Bobby, Lando Calrissian, and Nickie Fixx.

The exhibit opens tonight at 7pm and runs through May 2.

Atwater, Freestyle and LAdy Lux Fashion Show @ Chateaux Lounge in Irvine:

For all you fashionistas and fashionistos, Atwater, Freestyle watches and Lady Lux Swimwear will be hosting a fashion show at the Chateaux Lounge in Irvine tonight at 8pm. The OC fashion scene is growing faster than those pretty fuscia viney flowers that are taking over the San Clemente hillsides, so you won't want to miss this event with summers hottest trends.

[My Pet Saddle]

My Pet Saddle @ The Gypsy Lounge:

Grab a drink with great company at the Gypsy and enjoy the fine sounds of local band My Pet Saddle. MPS will be joined by Casey and The Tall Boys, Charles' Mansion, and Cosmodelion. The show starts at 9pm and cover charge is only $5. You can't even get a movie ticket for $5! It's a penny-pinchers delight! 21+

That oughta do ya'

Happy Trails

- Amy

On my iPod: Garth Brooks' The Ultimate Hits 3 Disc Collection - Ohhhh yeah.

Shannon Brown Comes to the Irvine Spectrum

I'll never forget when Trevor Ariza attended Fashion Week at the Irvine Spectrum last year. And I wasn't there. One of the biggest regrets of my life. That and not becoming a painter. The next basketball season came, Trevor Ariza was let go for Ron Artest and my dreams of meeting one of my favorite Lakers were shattered. [ I still love you too Ron Ron - you're the funniest Laker I've had the pleasure of speaking with to this day. ] But rest assured readers, I won't be making that mistake again!

[ Two of my favorite Lakers (Shannon and Kobe), plotting their attack. ]

[ The Rebel Yell ]

This Saturday the Irvine Spectrum will play host to one of my other favorite Lakers! The heavens are shining down on me, giving me another shot at chasing my dreams! Go Go Gadget Legs, a.k.a. Shannon Brown, will be at the Verizon Wireless Spectrum store, signing autographs and meeting fans. It's so reminiscent of the Trevor Ariza situation to me since I've had two friends tell me that they heard through the grapevine (I realize how secondhand this info is, and therefore may not even be true) that the Lakers said there wasn't a spot for Shannon Brown on next season's Lakers roster. I replied with exclamations of disbelief and a gaping, mouth-wide-open look of wonderment. Shannon Brown is a play maker! Not a spot for him on the Lakers? How many times has he made a play that has changed the whole tenor of a game? Just like my precious Trevor Ariza? I was assured by these said friends that it wasn't that the Lakers don't understand he's a great player, but that it was purely about the money. And the fact that the Lakers didn't have any. I still refuse to believe that the NBA is all about money and not basketball. Maybe I'm in denial, but sometimes coping with the truth is just TOO much. Is anything sacred anymore? McChicken nuggets aren't made with real chicken; Britney Spears lip sings her concerts; and now the NBA is all about money instead of basketball?

[ Shannon Brown being a playmaker. Feb 16th, 2010 - Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors. ]

Well I know one thing that is left pure and undefiled, the athleticism, grace, and explosiveness of a Shannon Brown dunk. So don't miss seeing this amazing up and coming athlete. Lakers girls and Power 106 radio will be there to entertain, and there will even be chances to win Lakers tickets! Rub his tummy for good luck heading into the playoffs. The way they're playing, the Lakers could use all the help they can get. Here's the details, and I'll see you there!

P.S. A big congrats to Teemu Selanne of the Anaheim Ducks. He is only the 18th player in NHL history to have made 600 goals in their career. He's now keeping company with the likes of hockey greats Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Orange County loves you Teemu, you handsome Nordic devil, you.

- Amy
On my iTunes: Charlie Mars' "Back of The Room"


Shannon Brown at Verizon Wireless Store

April 03, 2010
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless store near The Improv.
For more information, please call 949-450-1050 or visit www.verizoninsider.com/shannon.

OsCene at The Laguna Museum of Art

[OC Music Awards Listening Wall in Laguna Art Museum’s OsCene 2010 Exhibit]

Ashley Eckenweiler sent this press release over about a GREAT exhibit at the Laguna Art Museum in conjunction with the OC Music Awards: 

OC MUSIC AWARDS LISTENING WALL IN LAGUNA ART MUSEUM’S OSCENE EXHIBIT IS A HIT

(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) - Laguna Art Museum’s OsCene 2010 exhibit opened over the weekend. OC Music Awards curated the music portion of the exhibition which showcases the latest art and culture of Orange County. An OC Music Awards wall was installed in the museum with 11 iPod Nano listening stations representing 22 Awards categories with a song from each nominated artist. A video screen accompanies the listening stations with highlights from the 2009 Awards event. The exhibition opened with a private reception for the museum’s advisory board on Friday, February 19, and a public opening with close to 1,000 attendees on Saturday, February 20. Listening stations were in high demand as museum goers frequently stopped to hear the Awards nominated artists of all music genres, some even taking notes on the band names and song titles.

Public programs in conjunction with OsCene will include three live performances by OC Music Awards Showcase artists. Canvas will perform March 4, I Hate You Just Kidding April 1, and Marc B on May 6. All performances take place at Laguna Art Museum at 7pm, are free and open to the public of all ages. OsCene 2010 and the OC Music Awards wall will remain on display in the museum through May 16. Visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org for more info.

- Amy

On my iPod: Kings of Leon's "Holy Roller Novocaine"

Bring on the Terrible Two's

We're growing up fast here at The Gazette. We're going to be doubling in size soon as well as adding more pages of riveting local content for you our readers. Visit our website www.theocgazette.com to see pictures of the Gazette staff when they were two-ish... it's bound to give you a good laugh.

- Amy Hood

On my iPod right now: Bad Religion's Sorrow