Author, radio star and humorist David Sedaris packed Royce Hall on Saturday, June 28th in the final event of UCLA Live’s 2007-2008 season. It was a hilarious evening, featuring David reading new work and a selection of essays from his best-selling books, excerpts from The New Yorker and even his diary! The sold-out audience cheered as Mr. Sedaris took the stage, and the enthusiasm continued all night with constant laughs.

The World Premiere of Jonathan Tolins’ “Secrets of the Trade” at the award-winning Black Dahlia Theater in the gentrifying Pico District is a drama well worth seeing.

This new musical is based on Sonia Levitin’s award-winning book The Return, which recounts the story of the Falashas’ daring exodus from Ethiopia in 1984 and the secret airlift known as “Operation Moses” that saved 8,000 of them. Later, another removal brought the remaining 16,000 out of bondage.

This family-friendly adventure tale at the Geffen Playhouse stars award-winning actor Gregory Itzin, best known for his role as President Charles Logan on the TV show “24.”

Taiwan is an exotic country full of modern and vibrant cities, picturesque mountaintop villages and unique oceanside settlements. Visitors can experience different customs, diverse lifestyles, strange languages, and traditional Taiwanese culture and arts that have been passed down for generations. And of course, an array of exotic cuisines that will totally please and completely surprise the palate.

In LaBute’s West Coast Premiere of Some Girl(s) at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, the hero is yet another cad. This time we don’t get to know the lead character, Guy, all that well. Instead, it’s his numerous ex-girlfriends that bring the story and emotions to the surface.

Joan Rivers has made us all laugh. In her new show at the Geffen Playhouse, she continues that tradition, but adds much more. We get to hear about the good times, the hard times, and even the very sad times. It’s a chance to feel like Joan is talking to us as a friend.

The new feature film LOOK takes its title and concept from the fact that some 30 million surveillance cameras are out there in the world recording what people do literally everywhere they go. And it’s a fascinating LOOK.

Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club – The Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club is located in King Harbor on the Pacific Ocean. The hotel takes its name from the fact that while landlubbers may come by car, the wide berths and superior dock space of the marina ensure that even the biggest boaters have easy access as well. While we were there, many guests had come by boat and sought a luxurious night or two on shore.

Baleen Los Angeles – Across the courtyard from the Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club, Baleen Los Angeles brings fine dining to King Harbor in Redondo Beach, California. Recognizable as the signature restaurant of the Noble House Hotel Group─we have found from prior experience─they succeed where others don’t, in serving food with style and elegance but without pretension.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia

Coast Plaza Hotel & Suites – The Coast Plaza Hotel is a terrific, no-compromise pick for a Vancouver holiday. Experts at making you feel at home, they provide all the amenities expected of a top-flight hotel.

Salt Tasting Room – This unique charcuterie in Gastown is located on a street called “Blood Alley.” That alone should make it worth visiting. Once inside, you realize you have found a place unlike any other.

Capones Restaurant & Live Jazz Club – Capones
is a long narrow restaurant with the feel of a New York cabaret. Extraordinary mural lined walls, mirrors and a brick bar contribute to a warm ambience, ideal for casual dining.

La Terraza – On our last night in Vancouver, it was raining hard. But we couldn’t let that stop us from going out for a romantic dinner at La Terrazza Restaurant, located in Yaletown.

The Yale Hotel – After dinner, we headed out for some music. We love the BLUES—and lucky for us, not too far away was Vancouver’s biggest and best blues club. No longer a hotel, the Yale has become a mainstay for rhythm and blues bands and their followers from around the world.

Stanley Park, Granville Island, and much more.