Courier Calendar

NOW - JAN. 25 GRAND PARK: “GROUND OUR PRESENT, DOT OUR FUTURE” PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION

Grand Park presents “Ground our Present, Dot our Future,” a public art installation designed to build community with enrichment, engagement and dialogue through art. It features more than 74 quotes that refl ect on 2020 and look forward to 2021. Grand Park is located at 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles. (Between Grand Avenue and Broadway Street.) https://grandparkla.org/

NOW - JAN. 31 FOOD FESTIVAL - “10 DAYS RE: HER”

The new non-profi t “RE: Her” launches its inaugural event of “10 Days RE: Her.” Over 100 women-owned restaurants from all over Los Angeles unite to off er unique collaborations with other female chefs, thematic menus, one-on-one conversations among female industry leaders, and much more. RE: Her is a new non-profi t created by women restaurateurs supporting women-owned restaurants, and will further this mission beyond the 10-day event by providing resources, mentorship, and small business grants to members. https://www.regardingherfood.com/

JAN. 22 THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC“IN CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL”: “HECHO EN MÉXICO” (“MADE IN MEXICO”) 9 p.m.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and KCET present “In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.” “Hecho en México” ("Made in Mexico") pays tribute to the city’s roots and features Mexican and Mexican American artists performing with Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil. Watch Rodrigo y Gabriela, Natalia Lafourcade and La Santa Cecilia, plus Los Ángeles Azules performing with YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) and Paolo Bortolameolli. https://www.hollywoodbowl. com/about/watch-and-listen/ in-concert-at-the-hollywood-bowl

JAN. 23 LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART - ADULT ART CLASS: “DIGITAL ART” 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents an Adult Art Class: “Digital Art.” Discover how to creatively use the iPad or tablet as a tool for making art. Draw, paint, manipulate photos, make animated gifts - all with the fi ngertips or the use of a stylus. Learn which apps work best with the device, add imagination, and start creating. https://www.lacma.org/event/ adult-art-class-digital-art

JAN. 23 WALLIS ANNENBERG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - THE SORTING ROOM SESSIONS: “SHELÉA: A TRIBUTE TO ALAN & MARILYN BERGMAN” 8 p.m.

The Sorting Room Sessions, the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts’ popular nightclub series, has gone virtual. Singer/songwriter/keyboardist Sheléa has transcended the boundaries of musical classifi cation with her versatile and distinctive voice. On Jan. 23 at The Wallis, Sheléa will perform songs written by the Oscar-winning composers Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Purchase of the digital concert includes 24-hour viewing access. https://thewallis.org/Shelea

JAN. 23 - FEB. 21 GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE: “BOLLYWOOD KITCHEN”

Geff en Playhouse launches a series of new live, virtual and interactive world premiere productions from its Geff en Stayhouse banner. Filmmaker and cookbook author Sri Rao’s (Netfl ix’s upcoming “The Actress”) “Bollywood Kitchen” is directed by Arpita Mukherjee. In this interactive production, Rao invites the audience to prepare a homemade Indian meal along with him, drawing on the recipes that were staples at his family’s table, and interweaves the story of his parents immigrating to America. https://www.geff enplayhouse.org/shows/ bollywood-kitchen/

JAN. 24 RABBI DAVID BARON - TEMPLE OF THE ARTS, DIANA MAXWELL, AND LIGHTHOUSE PUBLIC RELATIONS: “EVOLVING INTO THE NEXT NORMAL” ONLINE SERIES 2 - 3 p.m.

Join for a monthly series of inspired conversations with luminaries exploring the ‘next normal' on how to live during these challenging times with calmness, grace and hope. The series is with luminaries, Sister Jenna, Brahma Kumaris, Miranda Macpherson and hosted by Rabbi David Baron, Temple of the Arts. The opening performance is by renowned Cellist, Michael Fitzpatrick. https://zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_t3yV-4jLSwazY_4mUp3Bog

JAN. 26 THE BEVERLY HILLS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: “NEW LAWS YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO KNOW FOR 2021” 3 - 4:30 p.m.

The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Beverly Hills, is holding a webinar on key new laws impacting business in 2021. Topics include new COVID-19 laws and regulations; key changes to employment laws; and other changes to laws impacting business. Open to all Beverly Hills businesses. http://members.beverlyhillschamber.com/ events/details/new-laws-your-businessneeds-to-know-for-2021-22654

JAN. 26 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN, LOS ANGELES: “ROE@48 ” ANNUAL COMMEMORATION 5 - 6:30 p.m.

The National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles and the City of West Hollywood will hold its annual commemoration of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade on Jan. 26, “Roe@48,” which will be virtual this year. Join leaders and activists on the ground from around the country as they speak about their ongoing work and how attendees can learn ways to take action to support access to reproductive care. https://www.ncjwla.org/

JAN. 26 SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER - AN EVENING WITH NICOLAS D. KRISTOF AND SHERYL WUDUNN, AUTHORS OF “TIGHTROPE: AMERICANS REACHING FOR HOPE” 6 p.m.

Journey across twenty-fi rst-century America with Pulitzer Prize–winning authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, whose book “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope” is an inspiration for the Skirball’s online exhibition. Kristof and WuDunn provide a look at the challenges facing the American public and off er ideas for how to forge a new path forward. The online program is free with reservations needed. https://www.skirball.org/programs/wordsand-ideas/evening-nicholas-d-kristof-andsheryl-wudunn

JAN. 26 - 28 HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA: VIRTUAL COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

Holocaust Museum LA presents a commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz on Jan. 26 - 28. Recognized by the United Nations, International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jan. 27) commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust and marks the day that Auschwitz was liberated. The schedule of events is listed on the website. https://www.holocaustmuseumla. org/event-details/ international-holocaust-remembrance-day

JAN. 27 L.A. THEATRE WORKS: “EXTINCTION”

L.A. Theatre Works presents its 2020-21 Digital Season of nine plays recorded in-studio. Each features bonus material, such as interviews with the playwrights, actors, experts in the fi eld and more. On Jan. 27, Sarah Drew, Seamus Dever, Joanne Whalley and Darren Richardson star in “Extinction,” a new play by Australian playwright and newspaper columnist Hannie Rayson about the need to combat man-made climate change. https://latw.org/digital-season

JAN. 27 HAMMER MUSEUM: ART TALK ON KATJA SEIB 12:30 p.m.

The Hammer's curatorial department leads free, insightful, short discussions about artists in Made in L.A. 2020 online. Join for the art talk on Jan. 27 on Katja Seib led by Nika Chilewich, curatorial assistant. https://hammer.ucla.edu/ programs-events/2021/ lunchtime-art-talk-katja-seib

JAN. 28 HAMMER MUSEUM: FEMINISM CONVERSATION WITH KOA BECK AND JULIA SERANO 5 p.m.

Hammer Museum presents a conversation with Koa Beck and Julia Serano. Beck, author of the new book “White Feminism: From the Suff ragettes to Infl uencers and Who They Leave Behind,” joins author and activist Julia Serano around the shortcomings of mainstream feminism and the potential of solidarity. RSVP on the website to receive the Zoom link to join the free event. https://hammer.ucla.edu/ programs-events/2021/ white-feminism-koa-beck-julia-serano

(Salon Owner continued from page 1) "Later that evening, prosecutors in D.C. obtained a stay and a detention order from a judge in D.C."

Bisignano, Strand and Gold each have close ties to the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally, the weekly pro-Trump demonstration that has taken place since July. In a story in the Jan. 15 issue of the Courier, “Beverly Hills Salon Owner Recounts Her Actions in D.C. Riots,” Bisignano spoke about her role in the failed insurrection. In fact, the FBI’s Statement of Facts for Bisignano, compiled by a member of the Bureau’s Washington Field Offi ce’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, cites reporting by the Courier. The Courier conducted extensive interviews with Bisignano in the week after the attempted insurrection, in which she admitted to entering the Capitol, but claimed that she was escaping the throngs of rioters.

“BISIGNANO told the news outlet [Courier] that she fi lmed herself at the Capitol building, during the time when rioters had stolen police shields and were deploying pepper spray on the offi cers,” according to the statement fi led in federal court. “BISIGNANO also admitted entering the Capitol building itself through a window, the glass of which had been broken by another rioter.”

The investigations into the Jan. 6 violence at the Capitol are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Offi ce for the District of Columbia. Nearly 90 cases have been fi led against defendants residing across the country. Federal rules require that following an arrest, or surrender, defendants must make a fi rst appearance before a district court magistrate/judge where the arrest takes place.

Bisignano faces charges of civil disorder; destruction of government property; aiding and abetting; obstruction of an offi cial proceeding; restricted building or grounds; and violent entry or disorderly conduct. Gold and Strand have been charged with entering a restricted building or grounds, violent entry and disorderly conduct.

“I got caught up. I didn't do anything to hurt anybody,” Bisignano, owner of Gina’s Eyelashes and Skincare, told the Courier prior to her arrest. She went to the Capitol after President Trump called on his supporters to attend a rally on Jan. 6. “If enough patriots got together to rightfully assemble and put pressure, chant and cheer like we do, they would think, ‘Okay, we the people—we the people are speaking.’”

Bisignano told the Courier that she had not committed any acts of vandalism or violence, decrying the violence that left fi ve people dead, including a member of law enforcement. But in footage reviewed by the Courier, a woman who appears to be Bisignano can be seen throwing a water bottle in the direction of law enforcement as Trump supporters try to push through a blockade of riot police. “We need new people,” she shouts to the crowd as police deploy pepper spray on the rioters.

Like Bisignano, Strand and Gold also heeded Trump’s call, according to federal offi cials. Strand, the communications director for the Freedom Rally, describes himself on his personal website as a model and actor, with IMDB listing credits for the reality TV show “Vanderpump Rules” and the comedy show “Tosh.0.” Gold, a medical doctor criticized for promoting misinformation about COVID19 and the Coronavirus vaccine, has also attended and spoken at multiple Freedom Rallies. She confi rmed to the Washington Post that she had gone into the Capitol with other rioters but insisted that she did not participate in or witness any violence.

All three appeared for their hearings on Jan. 19 at the Edward R. Roybal federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The judge hearing the cases, United States Magistrate Judge John E. McDermott, granted bail for Gold and Strand, setting it at $15,000 and $20,000 respectively. While Gold left the courthouse that day, Strand did not fi nd someone to guarantee his bail bond until later. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Offi ce still had not seen release paperwork by the morning of Jan. 21.

But in Bisignano's case, the U.S. government came down hard, recommending that she should not receive bail and should remain in detention. "The defendant participated in a violent riot that was designed to prevent the United States Congress from certifying the valid, true results of the 2020 presidential election. So, to say that her alleged crimes were dangerous, not just to the community, but to American democracy and the rule of law itself, is an understatement," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rollins.

Rollins even cited Bisignano's espousal of conspiracy theories as evidence for her "fl ight risk and dangerousness," telling the judge, "She's not likely to obey any pretrial release restrictions, because she doesn't believe in the legitimacy of the United States government, the rule of the law, or basic democratic process, and her sincere belief in conspiracy theories and the absence of rational evidence-based decision making show that she is extraordinarily unlikely to accept the legitimacy of this Court's orders, any federal law enforcement—especially those after a new administration takes over tomorrow—or obey any terms of pretrial release." "That was a very colorful speech," rejoined Craig Harbaugh, Bisignano's attorney. "It is clear that Ms. Bisignano was present at a large-scale protest that was set up, not by anti-government forces, but by the President of the United States," he said. "I think both sides have overstated things," said Judge McDermott. "I think the government is trying to make an example of Ms. Bisignano and trying to make her out to be a traitor. I also don't like the argument that she did it because of President Trump."

McDermott imposed $170,000 bail on Bisignano. She left the courthouse later that night but was back in custody on Jan. 20. Gold has a virtual hearing in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. and Strand will appear for a pretrial hearing in L.A. on Feb.1. As of press time, Bisignano's next appearance is not listed on the court docket.

Many other members of the Beverly Hills Freedom Rally who attended the attempted insurrection remain out of custody as of now. But according to FBI Spokesperson Laura Eimiller, more arrests could be in the pipeline. “We can’t rule out other investigations, but they are being done out of Washington, D.C. We only served the warrants for them,” she told the Courier. She added, “We aren’t interested in peaceful protestors.”