Elegant Oscars Party At Magic Castle Pleases Celebrities And Fans Alike

The Academy Awards are undoubtedly the culmination of awards season in Hollywood every year.  After the Golden Globes, the Grammys, and the plethora of other shows that honor those in the entertainment industry, the Oscars are seen as the last grand, exciting night for a red carpet extravaganza.  Maybe it’s because the movies are like the opera in that every art form comes to life in a single masterpiece.  Movies include everything, and so we save the best for last perhaps.  Or maybe it’s because people all over the world are eagerly waiting to see what their favorite actresses are going to wear with the vain hope that they will one day buy one of those expensive dresses for themselves.  Or maybe it’s because everyone is dying to determine just how bad the new Oscar host will flop no matter how hard he or she tries.  After all, everyone realizes that only Billy Crystal can pull this one off.  Right?

Well, regardless of what the many great expectations for the Oscars may be, one thing is for sure: EVERYONE needs a PLACE TO BE on Academy Awards night, and we don’t mean the traffic!  Such being the case, every year thousands of stars, fans and even media personnel are scrambling to find an ideal location to watch the show, get those nice photos, gain a little publicity for themselves or that upcoming project, or just have a good time.  Oscar parties in Hollywood could be exciting and crowded with celebrities or just an intimate gathering. Unfortunately, somebody needs to get those reservations for the more impressive parties, and getting a ticket is not always easy.  Stars and fans alike have to spend some serious time thinking about what ideal party they should be attending.  Inside the Dolby Theater?  Outside it? Elton John AIDS Benefit? Vanity Fair?  Beverly Hills Hotel?  Decisions, decisions…enough to sometimes drive one just as batty as navigating the many street closures plaguing the city.

Luckily, one group of entertainment industry professionals and movie enthusiasts have it all worked out - reserving the perfect spot for Oscar night.  Every year, right across the street from the historic Kodak Theater (now the Dolby), they gather at The World Famous Magic Castle to watch the celebration LIVE on plasma screen televisions at the Castle’s Annual Oscars Viewing Party, a tribute to the Academy Awards and a reward for the Castle's many members.  The elegant evening features a media covered red carpet, endless buffet dinner, viewing party of the Oscars, raffle prizes, giveaways, and, once the Oscars are over, the opportunity to travel upstairs in the venue and watch captivating magic shows well into the night.  Ever see "The Prestige" starring Michael Caine, Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman? Well, over at the Castle, they do it "for real."

And this year was no different.  A crowd of celebrities gathered at the entrance to this year’s event, including Los Angeles Music Awards and Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards Founder Al Bowman, who congratulated the establishment for hosting a great party on Oscar night, as well as hosts Ben Roman and John Carvalho.  Each year, Carvalho, an advocate for the arts, music and entertainment in West Hollywood, collaborates with Latin recording artist Roman to invite music industry leaders such as Bowman, independent filmmakers, and Castle members to the Oscars Viewing Party.  Among those on the guest list over the years have included West Hollywood celebrities such as the multi-talented author, model and civil rights activist Ben Patrick Johnson, comedienne Shawn Pelofsky, Go Gay Today Executives Mike Westman and Ernesto Higuera, and the Grammy considered pop recording artist Kris Searle.  Some of the hottest "Andrew Christian" beauty boys have also attended in the past (fully clothed of course. The Castle has a strict dress code).  Other attendees have included the Honorary Mayor of Beverly Hills David Harrison Levi, the Peoples' Mayor of Hollywood Tony Boldi, actor/producer Tom Tangen, movie director Michael Donahue, stuntman Raynald La Rochelle, photographer Raul Esparza III, Inspire U Records President Rich Williams, and jazz artist Tom Slack.  This year, actor Said Faraj, actress Marlenne Castaneda, model Lucy Serrano, and recording artist Willie Ames were among those in attendance.

"I think this year's party has been an exciting one for us because we have had so many accomplishments from our guests.  In fact, one of our films has qualified for the Oscars," says Carvalho, referring to Suniil Sadarangani's short film "In Transit" (2011; Hanuman Media and Powersource Productions).  Aside from its Academy Awards qualification, "In Transit" was an "official selection" at the Palm Springs Film Festival and won 3 Angelino Film Awards, including Best Short Film, after having been nominated in 5 categories.  Sadarangani could not attend the event because he was in France filming his new short "Blind."  However, movie producer Mike Quiroga, actor Jimmy Dux, and publicists Favi Jaime and Carlos Rojas were in attendance.  Quiroga, Dux, and Fernando Gonzales of Sky Pictures collaborated with John Carvalho to submit Sadarangani’s film to the Oscars last August. Jaime and Rojas have been involved in the film’s publicity.

Among the other accomplishments was from actor and Guinness Book of World Records holder Bill Blair, who starred in this year’s Best Picture "Argo."  Blair has played more special effect make-up characters in a career than any other professional in the entertainment industry, such as a number of the Star Trek shows on TV.  It wasn’t clear if he would show up to the Magic Castle as himself or an alien from another planet that would scare security into letting him into the venue without needing to validate parking.  As it turns out he was dressed “human” - in the perfect suit for red carpet photos standing not next to a Klingon, but rather the charming Meli Alexander.  (Though it’s true he dawned a “Star Trek lapel” for show).

Gracing the red carpet this year were also Mikey Jayy, Executive Producer of the Artists in Music Awards and Hollywood actor and events promoter Nic Creznic.  Jayy and Creznic have just come off their successful Artists in Music Awards at the Key Club on Sunset that was the talk of the town right before the Grammys.  It is believed that the Magic Castle Oscars Party every year helps a number of recording artists collaborate on movie projects with film producers.

In fact, Ben Roman himself is one of those recording artists.  His songs, both originals and covers, have been a hit on MySpace and the World Wide Web and have been featured on original motion picture soundtracks.  Roman is also an experienced stage entertainer, having giving excellent performances at both Long Beach Pride, CSW LA Pride, and around Southern California.  Roman’s work has appeared on daytime television, reality TV programming, Bravo, A&E, and The Disney Channel.  In 2012, he debuted his first English album "Ben Roman" that is available on iTunes.  He is presently working on additional music and videos.  For more on Ben Roman’s music visit: http://www.benromanonline.com/ .

The elegant Oscars Party at the Magic Castle is expected to continue in upcoming years, pleasing stars and fans alike.

SOURCE WeHo Post PR

Stars And Fans Celebrate Best Of Independent Music And Movies At Annual LA Music And Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 (HOLLYWOOD, CA, November 15, 2012)—Hollywood celebrities, musical artists, and entertainment producers crowded into the Avalon nightclub on Hollywood and Vine Thursday to celebrate the nominees and winners of the 22nd Annual Los Angeles Music Awards and 6th Annual Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards. All in all, over 1,000 people attended the star-studded event, which featured a 40-foot red carpet that was inundated with media personnel and excited fans.

“Every year the organizers of the LA Music Awards and Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards put on a spectacular show. Tonight, with its large crowd and media frenzy, appears no different and continues the tradition of the great red carpets I witnessed at Paramount Studios two years ago and at the Avalon last year. We have a lot of attendees here from both the music and film businesses, and I believe that the artists and producers in both camps are benefiting from the opportunity to network for future projects,” said John Carvalho, an advocate for the arts, music and entertainment in West Hollywood. Carvalho was a panelist at the 2012 LAMA Voting Party held previously at the Whisky on Sunset where he spoke on the importance of social media for developing recording artists. “I think when you unite the promotion of an artist on social media with the publicity gained from red carpet exposure at LAMA, you have a real opportunity to bring a beginning artist to another level where he or she can perform his or her music full time while also making connections with more established artists and producers.”

Indeed, the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards that are announced at the LAMA events every year honor leaders and visionaries in a variety of fields such as entertainment, music, sports, politics, television and film. Past recipients of the award have included former President Jimmy Carter, Filmmaker Stanley Kramer, Comedian Larry Hankin, U.S. Senator Max Cleland, The Jackson Kids, Jamie Hilfiger, James Brown II, and Producer Keith Olsen. Last year, Booboo Stewart, from the movie “Twilight” (starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner) received the award. This year his sister Fivel was honored, along with Madonna’s guitarist Monte Pittman, classic rock radio icon Brad Mercer, Kerris and Justine Dorsey (whose credits include “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt, “Walk the Line”, and “Brothers and Sisters”), and Olympic gold medalist Olga Korbut. There was an emotional moment this year when Jason Becker won the Hollywood F.A.M.E. Award. The virtuoso guitarist had triumphed over ALS disease even though doctors had only given him three years to live. Provided that both the LAMA and Hollywood F.A.M.E. Awards are presented in one simultaneous show, beginning artists have the opportunity to network with industry icons that have already made it big.

The Los Angeles Music Awards, founded in 1991 by industry expert Al Bowman, honors the rising stars of independent music and gives them a platform to move towards commercial success by creating a Hollywood media event that generates high profile publicity. The red carpet reception on Thursday was covered by close to 150 media outlets and was followed by a dinner banquet, awards presentations, and live musical performances by a host of artists such as Cheating Daylight. Even David Osborne, the pianist who has performed at the White House for the past four presidents of the United States, including Barack Obama, attended the show.

Some artists traveled great distances to receive their award. “I came all the way from Louisiana,” said “Win The Day” whose song “Walk the World” won for “Rock Single of the Year.” Giusepinna Torre, who performed on stage and took away the recognition for best “International Artist or Band,” traveled even further having flown in from Rome, Italy.

In terms of practicality, Glitter Rose, one of the singers who also attended, claimed that the LAMA was doing a fantastic job of getting the word out for independent artists and offering them a spot to play at such an elaborate venue as Avalon. “I really appreciate what you guys have done,” she stated to the organizers.

“Now that was a great show,” beamed LAMA founder Al Bowman at the elegant after party on the roof and library of the Redbury Hotel, which was also highly attended following the live performances. Bowman has produced numerous, successful red carpets in the city, starting with his extravaganza at Paramount Studios three years ago that included Hollywood F.A.M.E. honors to former President Jimmy Carter. Now he has added another one to his repertoire that has allowed independent artists to showcase themselves and reap the rewards of publicity from the music media. Bowman’s long and distinguished career in music was the feature of a recent exposé in Examiner.

Among the winners at Thursday night’s LA Music Awards were Stevie Hawkins (Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year; Record of the Year), Sheyna Gee (Female Singer/Songwriter; Country Single), AKRON (Rock Album; Hot AC Artist), and Marirose (American Blues and Roots Artist). Mozaik won the “Pop Single” award for the song “Make it Rain”, Lisa Panagos received best “Electronica/Dance Artist”, and Sean Ward captured the award for “Country Artist of the Year.” Tom Slack, who is also up for two Grammy nomination considerations this year, walked away with “Best Jazz Artist.” Producer’s Choice recipients were also honored and included Monks of Mellonwah (International Rock Band of the Year), Black Raven (Instrumental Album of the Year), Stephanie K (National Vocal Performer of the Year), and Nicole Willard (Breakthrough Single of the Year for her song "Misery"). Longtime Hollywood photographer Bob Delgadillo, a stalwart at red carpet events around the city, received a Producer’s Choice Award for “Career Achievement in Photography”, and Myah Marie Langston won an award for her recording studio achievement for two Britney Spears albums. Langston was also a nominee in other categories. Mikey Jayy, Executive Producer of the “Artists In Music Awards”, also was recognized for his work with the independent music industry and his collaboration with the LAMA.

The complete list of the 2012 Ballot and Producers Choice recipients can be found at: www.lamusicawards.net/recipients.html .

The Los Angeles Music Awards has been a valuable asset for furthering the professional careers of musicians and artists for over two decades. For more information on the awards, visit: www.lamusicawards.net .