Weekend Update and Pick of the Week is this Saturday, Branded Arts Red Carpet Event!

My Pick of the Week, happens this Saturday, November 5^th. BRANDED ARTS presents ared carpet event to be held at Smashbox Studios in Hollywood. Help out a good cause by donating $20.00 to Witness To A Dream Foundation and you’ll get full access to a star studded evening. It will include an art exhibition with live painting and music and a special guest DJ Set by SAMANTHA RONSON!

Featured artists include:Brandon Shigeta, David Flores, Mear One, Shark Toof, Keegan Gibbs, Morgan Slade, Edwin Ushiro, Dan Quintana, Sona Mirzaei, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Bumblebee, Room13 LA, Michael Pukac, Shepard Fairey and Retna just to name a few!!

Weekend Update and Pick of the Week is this Saturday, Branded Arts Red Carpet Event!

BRANDED ARTS curates art exhibition openings by featuring some of the most renowned and emerging artists of our time. As one of LA’s rising star contemporary artists, Sona Mirzaei is excited to be participating and exhibiting some of her never before seen work as part of this exclusive event! Sona is also gearing up for her solo show opening featuring her exclusive new collection on Saturday, December 10^that Seyhoun Gallery in West Hollywood.

For her exhibition on November 5^th at the BRANDED ARTS event, Sona will include a piece The Ides of March from her ongoing Roman series. She strives to create powerful, complex and richly beautiful works of art that keep within the place and time they evoke in that enchanting part of the world. Sona Mirzaei is a true visionary and her passion for art transcends the competitive nature of the international art scene.

More info under Saturday events, including all the participating galleries.

Friday November 4^th

In the Beverly Hills area, there are a couple.

M+B offers an exhibition of multi-media works curated by Sam Falls and Matt Moravec. Titled TIME AND MATERIAL, the exhibition will be on view from November 4 to December 22, with an opening reception for the artists from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Curated by Sam Falls and Matt Moravec, participating artists include Sam Falls, Jacob Kassay, N. Dash, Kyle Thurman and Joe Zorilla.

M+B is located at 612 North Almont Drive, LA 90069; 310 550 0050; www.mbart.com/

Legendary artist Raymond Pettibon will be featured at Regen Projects II with an artist reception from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm

Regen Projects II is located at 9016 Santa Monica Blvd., LA 90069 310-276-5424http://www.regenprojects.com/

Or stay in Venice, for First Fridays on Abbot Kinney.

Most of the stores below will be starting around 6:30 pm, but remember it is Venice. Stores stay open till around 9:00 pm, sometimes later. With the recent arrival of food trucks upon the boulevard, some stores have decided to close early.

However, here is a list of some shops that have confirmed with me that they will indeed be open and participating in the event. I'm sure there will be a few surprises.

Enjoy live music at Joe’s restaurant. There is no cover charge. Call for an RSVP 310.399.581; Joe's Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA 90291.http://www.joesrestaurant.com/

Now continue on, there is a lovely shop called Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd., has a trunk show happening with designer Claudia Endler as well as featuring artist, Michele Mikesell's work. They will be serving refreshments. Event runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. 310-452-8121;http://www.alteredspacegallery.com/;

Back again across the street off Santa Clara, is Nitespa, 1301 Abbot Kinney, stop into thislocal beauty spa that will have specials which come with complementary beverages consisting of herbal teas, red and white wine and beer.

Open till 10:00 pm. mini-makeovers and specials on all treatments. The entrance is on Santa Clara. 310.396.5122; http://www.nitespa.com/

Keep going north and on the right side is Ananda, stop in for some snacks and refreshments. They have beautiful things. Ananda is located at 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (310) 399-4186.

Directly adjacent, pop into Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd who will also be open 310 392-9099;

If you love fashion better pop into Bohemian Exchange. This bodacious shopoffers sassy edgy designs at amazing prices.

Bohemian Exchange is located at 1358 Abbot Kinney, at California 310.396.3044; http://on.fb.me/ob9r0y

You won’t be able to miss Zingara Trading, right next door at 1507 Abbot Kinney for their First Friday event. They will be offering snacks and their famous S'mores.310 392-6424; http://www.zingaratrading.com/

Keep going South and pop by Very Venice Art & Design Gallery located at 1629 Abbot Kinney.

They are also showing works by over 100 artists including Linda Fenster, Outi, Dary Rees, Fahmina, Rachel Rubinstein, just to name a few. Event runs from 6:00 pm till 10:00 pm. http://www.veryveniceart.com/

Stop by Robin’s Sculpture Garden and enjoy the music of Tommy Santee Klaws, accompanied, by aerials in the sky. Robin’s Sculpture Garden, is located at 1632 Abbott Kinney. This one tends to start later, 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Popcorn & Beverages, but there is a $10-$15 donation suggested.

Also see fashions from Show Me Your Mumu, and Anna Bruce Designs, who will be featuring local artists as well as serving refreshments. These are both just outside of the garden, so you won’t have to pay the admission fee.

If you still want to party, headto …Paparazzi Comedy at 8:00 pm at Marina Venice Yacht Club, 4333 Admiralty Way G-2 West Tower, Marina Del Rey, CA.

Halloween ain’t over yet…there’s a pirate theme tonight. Dress up in your favorite Pirate or Wench outfit at Paparazzi Comedy this Friday. Prize for Best Buccaneer! Hosted by Gisele Rebeiro this will be a fun show with special guests.

FREE parking available. Drink specials all night long. Complimentary Appetizers. $10 Cover Charge if on Guest List must RSVP at paparazzicomedy@yahoo.com Produced by Gisele and event coverage by partyby5.com. Please arrive early, limited seating. RSVP at http://www.socializr.com/event/684579753/1332106627

Saturday November 5^th

Now for the Pick of the WEEK….BRANDED ARTS presents ared carpet event to be held at Smashbox Studios in Hollywood. Help out a good cause by donating $20.00 to Witness To A Dream Foundation and you’ll get full access to a star studded evening. It will include an art exhibition with live painting and music and a special guest DJ Set by SAMANTHA RONSON!

See image by Sona Mirzaei

Smashbox Studios is located at 1011 North Fuller Ave. West Hollywood, 90466. BRANDED ARTS is excited to have over 12,000 square feet of space with entertainment that includes rotating DJS, 2 fully stocked bars, and large art installations.
Participating galleries include: Thinkspace Gallery: http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/. LeBasse Projects Gallery: http://lebasseprojectsgallery.com/, L’Imagerie Gallery: http://www.Limageriegallery.com/, Gallery Nucleus: http://gallerynucleus.com/, Cave Gallery: http://cavegallery.net/
For a mere $20.00 donation to the Witness To A Dream Foundation Artists, art lovers, music aficionados will enjoy an exclusive evening on Saturday, November 5^th. Come out to Smashbox Studios and support the Witness To A Dream Foundation www.witnesstoadream.org, www.brandedarts.com, http://www.facebook.com/brandedarts, www.sonaart.com.

Since you are in Hollywood, stop by Merry Karnowsky Gallery for Asleep in the Wind curated by Mercedes Helnwein. Paintings on Paper by Mercedes Helnwein (see image), Patrick Morrison and Glen Baxter. With a Live Performance of classical music by members of the Traction Chamber Orchestra
Event starts at 7:00 pm. Music at 8:00 pm, plus wine and appetizers will be served. Merry Karnowsky Gallery 170 S. La Brea Ave., 90036; 323.933.4408. BE SURE TO RSVP: info@mkgallery.com

At Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave,Craig Krull (B-7) celebrates Carlos Almaraz,Gilbert "Magu" Sánchez Luján (see image) and Richard Ehrlich. The opening will be held from 5:00pm till 7:00 pm. http://www.craigkrullgallery.com/
TAG Gallery (D-3) offers a group show from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm. 310.829.9556; http://www.taggallery.net
Also at Bergamot, if you feel like shelling out $10.00….High Fashion meets contemporary Art at Track 16.
Enjoy "Maximum Miniature : Scale Behavior in Style," a conceptual runway show featuring wearable works, projected images and a puppet show, by L.A. based designer and artist, Lun*na Menoh. Event starts at 8:00 pm. Make sure to check the website, you must buy tickets.
While you’re there…pop into The Robert Berman Gallery (C-2) to see the show Paid to Play Illustrating Los Angeles: 1945 – 1985.
This exhibition features artists who earned their living as illustrators. This exhibiition offers some incredible, pin-ups and collectables. You'll remember this incredible mural by Millard Sheets.
Paid to Play is the first of several exhibitions to appear at The Robert Berman Gallery which fall under the umbrella of Pacific Standard Time. This unprecedented collaboration, initiated by the Getty, brings together more than sixty cultural institutions from across Southern California for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene. See image by Palombi.
It opened in September, but it’s a fabulous show, you gotta see it. Then right across in Berman’s other gallery (D-5) catch the show Transformation. Both shows are part of Pacific Standard Time. See image by Robert Henecken. http://www.robertbermangallery.com/
In Culver City…Carter & Citizen, (2648 La Cienega Ave) presents "Eventide"; paintings by Leon Benn and photographs by Whitney Hubbs (see image). "Eventide" opens November 5th and closes December 22nd. The reception will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 213-359-2504; http://www.carterandcitizen.com/
Cherry and Martin celebrates artist Erik Frydenborg. Located at 2712 S. La Cienega Blvd., CA 90034, the opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Angles Gallery offersan artist reception for artists, Judie Bamber (see image), Jeremy Dickinson, Linda Stark,
Opening Reception: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.Angles Gallery, 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd., 90034. 310.396.501; http://www.anglesgallery.com/
Thinkspace offers an artist reception for João Ruas. Artist, Andrea Offermann will be featured in the project room.
This gallery always has fun openings.Reception runs from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Thinkspace is located at 6009 Washington Blvd., 90232. 310.403.8549; http://www.thinkspacegallery.com/

If you prefer downtown , Norbertellen Gallery presents DJEMBE & CANVAS. Enjoy this solo exhibition as well as live painting by this local artist from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Norbertellen Gallery is located at 215 W. 6^th St. #110. 818 662 5041; Check their website for more details. http://www.norbertellengallery.com/
Also downtown, Cotrutza Gallery opens a new exhibition tonight, entitled, "Memories from the Future."
Reception runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Cotrutza Gallery is located at 446 S. Main St., LA 90013; 213-622-0121; http://cotrutza.com
And finally, just around the corner, it’s timefor Hive Gallery's 3rd annual sculpture artist themed show.
Be aware that it is $8 at door. However, it does include live music. The Hive Gallery is a fun funky gallery located at 729 South Spring St.
Event runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. http://hivegallery.com/.
Or hang by the beach In Venice…Gebert Gallery presents Past/Present with artist Betty Gold.

The show runs from November 5th through December 13th, 2011.
The artist reception is 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Gebert Gallery is located at 1345 Abbot Kinney. http://www.gebertgallery.com/
Or you may want to attend a very special dinner in Venice, entitled Le Secret Supper. Meet new friends and enjoy incredible food at this private affair from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm.
Venice local, Esquire Jachem hosts the elegant evening and Chef Leslie Paonessa will dazzle your taste buds.
There is a set price of $55.00 pp for food only or with a wine pairing, for $70.00 pp. I have been, and I highly recommend it. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Israel Levin Senior Center in Venice.
Contact Leslie at lfpsm@earthlink.net for reservations and additional info including the address. For more info and full menu, see Weekly Features Page.
In Topanga, Pine Tree Circle presents Robin Becker (see image). The opening reception will be held from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm.
Pine Tree Circle is located at 120 N. TopangaCanyon Blvd., #109, Topanga, 90290; 310 455-7909; www.topangacanyongallery.com

Sunday November 6^th
As part of Pacific Standard Time, LA Artcore Union Center for the Arts presents a top notch exhibition, curated by Hoojung Lee from 3:00 pm till 5:00 pm.
This events offers legends in the art world, such as Larry Bell, Robert Rauschenberg, Laddie John Dill, Betye Saar, Matsumi Kanemitsu, Charles White, Ed Moses
LA Artcore Union Center is located at 120 Judge John Aiso St., 90012 in downtown LA http://www.laartcore.org/
If you prefer to be close to the beach, Upper West offersa solo exhibition of Marcello Pozzi (see image) 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm.
Upper West is in Santa Monica at, 3321 Pico Blvd., 90405; 310-344-6031; http://art-vault.com

Have a fab week….I’ve got lot’s of surprises up my sleeve, which will soon be revealed….so stay tuned! Mama's gotta go start celebrating, her birthday!