Joan's L.A. WEEKEND, A Fantastic Remake, A Visit With Some Very Cool Wolves, An Evening With an Illusionist, and Brunch In Nature's Paradise

This extraordinary film, A Star Is Born, opens on Friday, October 5th and don’t walk but run to get your tickets. I saw it last week at a press screening and it is definitely my favorite film of 2018. I predict that the film as well as its stars will get several Oscar nods.

Bradley Cooper not only co-wrote, directed, sings, plays the guitar and stars in the film, but he spent 18 months learning how to play the guitar from Willie Nelson’s son. He also worked with a vocal dialect coach to get his voice to sound like a drugged out alcoholic rock star and the dude just killed it. Lady Gaga was excellent portraying her character’s vulnerability and sense of wonderment as her life begins to change from struggling songwriter to a huge star. By the way, Bradley and Gaga have serious chemistry.

This is the totally fantastic ‘rock and roll’ remake of the Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand version.

Two years ago I went to this awesome place called The Wolf Connection located at 29063 Aliso Canyon Rd, Palmdale, CA 93550 and this Saturday I’m returning to this very special sanctuary.

All the wolves here have been rescued. They were victims of a wide variety of horrific situations from abuse and neglect to owners going through hardship and no longer able to care for them.

Whatever the case, these magnificent beings come to The Wolf Connection to find and embody a new purpose – a life of service changing the lives of countless young men and women from all walks of life. Visitors get to meet with these magical creatures in person and even go hiking with them. You can also help with the care of the wolf that touches your heart in a special way by adopting them and enjoying special one on one time with your new special friend.

To arrange a visit call 661-450-8191 or go to their website WolfConnection.org. This is definitely an unforgettable experience. I know I haven’t forgotten it and that’s why I’m going back.

I absolutely love magic and of course magicians so Saturday evening I will be at the beautiful Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and Performing Arts Center to see Ivan Amodei Secrets & Illusions. Ivan is an international star and his illusions are considered unparalleled. He even fooled Penn & Teller.

Ivan will take you “on a wild ride of mind games, danger and surprise as he journeys through the deserted streets of Paris, to the darkened Louvre Museum where he peels back the paint of the Old Masters to discover the secrets to life one breathtaking illusion at a time” and that’s just one part of his dazzling performance.

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA. To purchase tickets go to SecretsAndIllusions.com or call 1-800-745-3000. You can also buy them by visiting the box office. Tickets are $55.00-$85.00. The show runs October 6th at 3:30pm and 8:00pm.

Finally I can’t think of a more perfect way to end the weekend then to have brunch at Inn Of The Seventh Ray located in my Topanga Canyon neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon.

The Inn of the Seventh Ray is considered one of Los Angeles’s most romantic restaurant. If you choose to dine outside, which I highly recommend, you will be surrounded by grand old sycamores, waterfalls along winding brick pathways and two creeks. It’s absolutely breathtaking. Oh and the food is absolutely delicious.

Their famous Sunday Champagne Brunch is touted as one of the best in Los Angeles. Their Californian cuisine is made with seasonal organic ingredients and the menu is quite eclectic. There is something for everyone. This is a perfect way to spend a Sunday with a friend, a lover, your wife or husband or someone you want to ask to be your wife.

For reservations call (310) 455-1311 between 10am to 10pm or go to reservations@innoftheseventhray.com

The restaurant is located at 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga CA. To check out the menu go to InnoftheSeventhRay.com.

Whatever you choose to do, have a great weekend everyone.