My 4th of July:

[speeder]

Went to a big freaking July 4th party and it was actually a lot of fun. Some friends of mine went whole hog and rented the Houdini house in Laurel Canyon, (in Hollywood), and hired food trucks, a band, valet parkers, the works.

The band was sort of a 4th of July super group with Wayne Kramer of MC5 and a couple members of Sweet, couple Young Rascals, a Pointer Sister or two..., IOW, old people.

It was the best type of party, all ages including kids/dogs/foreigners, you name it. Everyone was taking pictures because the Houdini estate is so awesome. I've been driving past it for decades and this is the first time I've ever been inside of it. It was decrepit for years, just recently fixed-up and restored. There is a tunnel under the street to the house across street, that was his as well. Both places are on Laurel Canyon Blvd., on the intersection of Lookout Mountain. The house across the street has been used as a recording studio for years, lot of records recorded there.

Here are some pics, check out the light! It was amazing, as were the views of the canyon. We hiked up the grounds, they go way up the canyon. I love LC a lot.

[speeder]

These food trucks were not roach coaches. There has been an explosion of gourmet food trucks in L.A., (maybe everywhere?), and the food was unbelievable. There were long lines for them but worth it. Plus, it's a beautiful Cali day, can't complain.

This was the line for the ice cream truck, some Gelati place. Damn good.



Houdini plaque:



Random pics:

[Flieger]

Cool.

Is the blonde a friend of yours?

[speeder]

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Cool.

Is the blonde a friend of yours?

Which one? There were about 500 blondes there. (And a half dozen in that photo).

[slodave]

Exactly.

[aigel]

Wow, not just kids and dogs, even foreigners! Amazing - foreigners in California!

Seriously though, glad you had fun today - sure looks like a good time. Forget the blondes, I'd like to see a picture of the hog. And please a focused one!

G

[DARISC]

Great party! Just curious, charity/charities benefit?

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by speeder

Which one? There were about 500 blondes there.

Oh sure... play dumb.

I'm sure he's asking about the one in the white top that you captured in the first, second, and last photo of your second post.

Which guys from Young Rascals were in the band?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Oh sure... play dumb.

I'm sure he's asking about the one in the white top that you captured in the first, second, and last photo of your second post.

Is she talking a lot with her hands?

G

[genrex]

Really nice photos, Denis.... thank you for sharing!

I agree, the sunlight gave a dreamy timeless feeling to the event, making it feel like for a while, you stepped out of time, and went back to the '60s or early '70s. Definitely a very excellent vibe. What was the occasion?

_

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Oh sure... play dumb.

I'm sure he's asking about the one in the white top that you captured in the first, second, and last photo of your second post.

Which guys from Young Rascals were in the band?

Those girls were about 16, max. And as pretty as the blond is, her friend was even prettier. Someone's kids.

And it was not a charity event but it was put on by some people who own a rehab. The whole party was free, including the food trucks. Someone in the know told me that they dropped about $50k on the afternoon. They must be doing alright.

I don't know which Young Rascals. Other than Wayne Kramer, whom I've met previously, I did not pay attention when they were introducing the rest of the band.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I am officially jealous, just saying and admitting!!!

[motion]

Those Californians sure do dress funny. Looks like a great party!

[speeder]

Do you guys want more pics?

[ramonesfreak]

Wayne Kramer? Wow. That's awsome.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Originally Posted by speeder

Do you guys want more pics?

Denis, Denis, Denis,

Of COURSE we do!!!!!!

[aigel]

I already told you I need pics of the hog!

G

[speeder]

As stated in the first post, the grounds are amazing. There are hidden passages and at least one major tunnel that I did not get to see. On arrival, I immediately wanted to climb the trail up the hill because I could see people gathered hundreds of feet above us, almost straight up. I wanted to see the view that I've never seen of the canyon from that perch.

I love canyons in general and Laurel canyon in particular, having lived in it years ago and hang out a lot now at friends' places. In terms of rock and roll history, it's like they took Hollywood and folded it in half in the '60s, with all of the greats landing in the canyon. The Doors, Joni Mitchell, CSNY, Jimi Hendrix, etc...

The high yesterday was 73 deg., so it's warm and sunny until about 7 or 8pm and then it gets cool. If your game is decent, you've been chatting-up some babe all afternoon and she gets a little cold when the sun gets low, prompting your exit to a warm restaurant or at least to get her a jacket. This worked out for me last night.

I had a great wing man, a handsome younger guy. The minute we got there, he had some girl following us up the trail almost to the top despite not having the best climbing shoes:



The view again:




I did not get enough pictures of the house but you can see it here, with the giant clock on the front. If you are into magic, this place is the holy grail.


More randoms:

[kaisen]

Very cool! My friend Jon Seminara posted some photos from there as well. And, it appears, a few hundred others were having a great time too.

Thanks for sharing