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12 On the Road: Stacy Anderson
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By Dana Wacks
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20 Slipping Through our Fingers By Jeff Piscard
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SWOOP GIRL: Brooke Butler
By Sarah Nicole Valdez
38 Nathan Anderson: Triple Threat
OF TE N
By Melanie Thompson
42 Priscilla Witte: To a Summer 5 years Long
PL AY
By Phillip Montgomery
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This Shir Shirtt Helps Written by Dana Wacks Photos courtesy of This Shirt Helps
harity shirts: we feel warm and fuzzy when we buy them; we get nods of approval when we wear them. But what have we accomplished when rocking these trendy tees, if anything? And how many times will we wear one before tossing it to the bottom of a pajama drawer or pawning it off to SWOOPTHIS.COM
GoodWill?
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Purchase from the clothing line This Shirt Helps and guess what? It actually helps. What’s more, you choose how it helps. Here’s the best part: besides actually contributing to a variety of causes, these basic tees look great and never go out of style. Fresh to the philanthropy scene, This Shirt Helps was founded less than a year ago. The organization allies with other established charities to fund specific philanthropic projects in need of aid. Using a “one shirt equals” model, the sale of each item purchased from This Shirt Helps benefits a partner charity of the purchaser’s choice. For instance, buy one shirt and opt to provide a month of schooling for a child in a developing nation through Pencils of Promise. Or, choose to have your purchase plant 3 trees in a deforested area via Plant with a Purpose. Visit www.ThisShirtHelps. com to learn more about the wide range of charities your purchase may support, or even suggest a cause you think is worthy of partnership!
If the “one shirt equals” strategy seems reminiscent of the popular TOMS brand that donates a pair of shoes for every pair purchased, it’s not coincidental. Before he founded This Shirt Helps, creator Joe Huff ran a shipping company based in Los Angeles. One of his company’s clients was a tiny startup brand operating out of a house in Venice Beach. In just a few years that same small brand blew up into what TOMS is today. “It was cool to see their growth,” Huff reflects. The trendy shoe company has recently distributed its millionth pair of shoes. Regarding this recent milestone, Huff comments, “Four years ago, this guy was working out of his house. Now he has helped millions of people.”
Inspired by charity, but also fueled by smart business practices and a keen fashion sense, Huff knows his stuff. He quotes a study which reported that 99% of donors to charities are over the age of 35, and women compose a whopping 80% of them. He simplifies the demographic: donors = disposable income + passion. However, Huff jokingly assures, “This isn’t your grandma’s charity.” Like TOMS, This Shirt Helps implements a revolutionary method of philanthropy and is powered by a generation of youth who care. Huff asserts, “Younger people are the ones that can act. Get an army of young people together, and they will do things that matter.” So, how does Huff plan to reign in the forces? He confidently and optimistically proclaims, “Younger people will participate if we give them something they want. If someone is going to buy a cute pair of shoes, why not sell them one that doubles as a goodwill gift? That’s trendy and cool. It gives people something to talk about. It gives them purpose.” What is the secret behind This Shirt Helps? What makes Huff so certain that his tees and accessories will never go out of style? It’s basic: basics! Current inventory at This Shirt Helps includes sex-specific Basic Crews and V-necks. They also sell Pocket Tees and a ‘Hero Henley’ for men, as well as Scoop Necks and Tanks for women. Each style is sold at the reasonable price of $30, and all styles are available in a wide range of solid colors. Produced in the same factory as James Perse and Current Elliot, all products from This Shirt Helps are manufactured in Los Angeles. Many of the shirts are made of 100% organic cotton. Some shirts are made of 50/50 RPET, which is a blend of organic cotton and recycled polyethylene (plastic bottles). Upon meeting Huff, he wore the Forest colored Basic Crew. He says of his choice, “It took 8 months to develop the one I am wearing.” Each shirt is comfortable, super soft and high quality, yet not ostentatious. The only evidence of the This Shirt Helps brand is the presence of a tiny, barely noticeable tag. The tag is designed with a cross-shaped logo, and is inconspicuously placed on a sleeve or near the bottom hem. Huff explains, “The reason for the subtlety is pretty simple:
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I want to avoid making something so unique that you don’t need it.” Instead, he strategically sells quality wardrobe staples because people always need them. After all, as Huff notes, “The demand is greater for a really nice black V-neck. No one needs 3 graphic tees.” Much of the apparel industry supports Huff’s work, including big names like Donna Karen and Reebok. A recent collaboration with Holden Outerwear gives 100% back to education, while Creative Recreation will soon release This Shoe Helps. All of such collaborations support Huff’s prediction: “People do care. A recent poll has shown that 83% of US consumers want their company to represent something they believe in. It’s going to be the norm. You’re going to demand it.”
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Huff’s efforts have been accused of promoting consumerism, as opposed to genuinely embodying a spirit of philanthropy. In response to this critique, he retorts, “You don’t have to climb a tree and camp for a month to change the world.” In essence, This Shirt Helps does not attempt to change people’s patterns. Instead, it exploits the heavily consumerist condition of society and harnesses it to do some good in the world.
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Still, what everyone wants to know about any charity is how much money actually goes to the cause. “I don’t talk about it,” he replies, “In the industry it is relatively really high. Many [of the purchases] are 100% proceeds.” Instead of focusing on dollar amounts, Huff wants people to know that purchases provide “a year of clean water” or “3 planted trees.” Huff insists, “The money doesn’t matter. Toms gives a pair of shoes away. That’s all you need to know. That’s why I think it’s so successful.”
More than just talk, Huff isn’t afraid to get his helpful shirt dirty. Watch the heart wrenching videos on www.ThisShirtHelps.com to witness Huff work hands on with the charities his company supports. You’ll see Huff’s company travel to Guatemala with Pencils of Promise, where they built schools for local communities in need. The website also showcases a recent trip to Haiti collaborating with Waves 4 Water to distribute filters for safe drinking water. For Huff, the giving never stops. Even on his personal travels Huff brings water filters to distribute, and he often donates his own clothing to locals in need. Thus, Joe Huff considers his organization “less than nonprofit.” He excitedly declares, “I’m going to immediately start funding, with every cent we have, even my personal ability to travel and help.” So, follow the example of Joe Huff: live in love and positivity, and help others whenever possible. Even your simple daily actions and purchases can make a significant impact on the world around you. You Can Help.
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ON THE ROAD
Apparel - The Swim Guy model - Stacy Anderson photos by kevin zacher Producer - Avant Talent Management Owner - Lindsey Schoen
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Written by Sarah Nicole Valdez Photo courtesy by HARVELLE’S
1432 4TH STREET SANTA MONICA, CA 90401 310-395-1676
Harvelle’s Harlow Gold
http://harlowgoldshow.com http://facebook.com/harlowgoldshow
Underground burlesque—yes, it’s just as racy as it sounds. And no one executes this type of “racy” better than the insanely gorgeous, shockingly acrobatic women of the Harlow Gold show. Each Harlow Gold performance unfailingly leaves your jaw dropped, dragging on the floor as you make your way out the door. Don’t expect to pick it up any time soon. Memories of a dark, sexy atmosphere, loud, gritty music blowing throughout the place, limber women evocative of 1930’s pin-up beauty—all these, and more—will have you return for another jaw dropping performance, again and again. Harlow Gold: where rock n’ roll meets the sexy cabaret world of Berlin in the 1930’s. It’s unlike anything else you’ve experienced. Harlow Gold gives its audience a burlesque performance with an alternative, rock-n-roll edge. Watch these beautiful women as they flaunt their strength and beauty, twirling and writhing amid velvet aerial ropes strapped to the ceiling. From amid these sensual ropes, each dazzling sphinx makes her way down to the laps of a dumbfounded audience. Harlow Gold is, quite literally, hands-on and in your face. The show blends modern, recognizable music (think White Stripes and Tom Waits) with throwback, cabaret-inspired moves. The product is as sensual as it is mesmerizing. Each sassy, beautifully choreographed evening brings a supreme artistry to L.A Nightlife. Nothing is more tantalizing than an evening with these shining stars of L.A.’s underground burlesque world. However, beyond the dazzling glitter, the stark sexuality, the ferocious acrobatics and the fearless choreography, this show possesses something missing from even the most sophisticated of burlesque shows— something that can only be described as enchanting and magical.
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Such awe-inspiring magic can be attributed to three elements: mystery, Harvelle’s unique yet edgy elegance, and the imaginative talents of the show’s creators, Tracy and Dominic. As well respected choreographers, Tracy and Dominic’s inimitable style and vision have touched people all over the world. Throughout the years they have expressed their diverse creativity while working with an eclectic mix of talented artists. On stage, Tracy & Dominic’s choreography has been nothing less than thrilling, daring and provocative. Their
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A night out at Harvelle’s— especially at the Harlow Gold show—transports you and your friends to an entirely different dimension.
Brand X proclaims, “If you’re not mentally, physically and spiritually wrung out by the end of the evening, then you were already dead before you even walked through the door.”
innovative choreography has created much buzz within the entertainment industry, making them the “go to” duo for sexy and edgy. This duo’s resume is extensive and includes: the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, the Grammy Awards, as well as concert tours for the Spice Girls, Marilyn Manson, Prince, Gwen Stefanie and the much talked about and controversial Adam Lambert performance at the 2009 American Music Awards. Before achieving success, Tracy and Dominic began choreographing as kids in the parking lot of their hometown dance studio in Denver. This duo has a long lasting bond and a shared passion that is clearly evident in the performances they create— especially in Harlow Gold. Harlow Gold is the most recent creation conceived by Tracy and Dominic; and, they can’t be more proud. The show packs houses! Every week ticket sales repeatedly sell out. Throughout Los Angeles and Long Beach, people are lining up for seats at this must see show. The buzz for Harlow Gold has reached an all time high. Critics cannot help but take notice of the show’s undeniable moxie. The Los Angeles Times describes Harlow Gold as “fearless.” Brand X proclaims, “If you’re not mentally, physically and spiritually wrung out by the end of the evening, then you were already dead before you even walked through the door.”
At a time when L.A. nightlife has become monotonous and predictable, Harlow Gold offers an invigorating source of good times and laughter. Bar? Nightclub? Lounge? No—Harvelle’s is something completely different. A night out at Harvelle’s—especially at the Harlow Gold show—transports you and your friends to an entirely different dimension. Prepare to visit an undefined universe—the Harlow Gold universe—where underground burlesque of the 1930’s meets 21st Century American culture, where sex, elegance and edge converge into one breath taking event. Are you ready for this? There’s only one way to find out: call and book tickets to the next Harlow Gold show, immediately. Treat your senses to an experience you won’t find anywhere else. See you there!
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REFINED STYLE MADE TO MEASURE BY MELISSA MASSE
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SWOOP GIRL BROOKE BUTLER
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WRITTEN BY SARAH NICOLE VALDEZ Brooke Butler. Remember that name, because you’re soon to see her in all the next blockbuster hits. Brooke has a passion for acting, and a drive to succeed that is sure to make her an Oscar-winning starlet. Watch out Academy! Brooke Butler is about to grace the red carpet with her beauty, charm and elegance. In addition to her stunning beauty, Brooke is equipped with intelligence. She calls the University of Southern California her almamater; and, amidst a busy class schedule, Brooke dedicated herself to the USC cheer team.
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apparel - retail boutique featured bikini by girlfriends bikini for retail boutique model - Brooke Butler photos by David Mitchell Wardrobe Stylist - Stephanie Powers Makeup - Kassandra Karr
Brooke also has a heart of gold. She believes that her art, acting, can have a profound, positive impact on the lives of her audience—just like it had on her life when she was five years old. Among the myriad of superficial, sex-crazed celebrities that litter the covers of countless Hollywood gossip magazines, Brooke Butler represents something vastly different. That is, Brooke wants to be a positive role model for women and young girls. In her own words, Brooke advocates for the importance of women to be “strong and independent, yet graceful and feminine.” Brooke’s unquenchable zest for life makes this one-of-a-kind beauty a true SWOOP girl. We’re proud to have her trademark radiance and class adorn the cover of this issue.
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Behind every successful woman is herself.
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Age: 24 Hometown: Woodinville, WA Height: 5’4” How does it feel to be a SWOOP Girl?
What could be better than representing an area I love so much!
What is your favorite aspect about living in Southern California?
Where else could a girl from the small town of Woodinville, Washington go to realize her dreams—graduate from USC, cheer at two Rose Bowl games, act on TV and the big screen, and at the end of the day run the strand and watch the most beautiful sunsets from her apartment window.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
After acting classes, coaching, singing lessons and dance lessons, you’ll see me at Green Yogi, Fit on Studios, or just hanging with my girl friends at the beach. My brother was always such a big influence in my life, so I grew up a bit of a Tom boy doing everything from wake boarding, skiing, and dirt biking to extreme sports! In fact, I was water skiing at age three. I still love all of those things! My parents say that I never did learn how to walk—I just started to run! That probably best describes me—full of energy with this great love of life.
What would be your absolute perfect day?
Waking up early to run on the beach before I film for the day. Then spending the entire day on set working before coming home to have dinner with my whole family.
Who is the best band of all time?
The Beach Boys! They used to live on the same street I do. I surf where they grew up surfing!
If you could meet one person from history, who would it be and why?
Grace Kelley. She was intelligent, talented, and strong-willed. She was an icon of grace and beauty. I love the fact that she maintained her dignity and femininity. She inspired me to write my own blog called “Wise Words for Women,” which encourages women to be strong and independent yet graceful and feminine.
What is your favorite quote?
“Behind every successful woman is herself.”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Possibly my brother’s face when he sees me in a swimsuit in this issue of Swoop!
What ignited your interest in acting?
My passion in life has always been acting; and, I know exactly when it sparked. I was about five years old when my parents took me to see Phantom of The Opera at the 5th Avenue Theatre in downtown Seattle. We sat front row. I still vividly remember Christine singing to the Phantom. My parents said I had tears on my cheeks, and that I was always sensitive to the people around me. I wanted to be able to affect others just as I was changed that day. I believe the entertainment world has a great power to be able to change people’s lives with a simple performance.
What is the proudest moment you’ve had thus far in your acting career?
I don’t know if I can pinpoint one specific moment. My entire journey has been quite the phenomenal ride. If I had to choose one, I would say being in a movie with and meeting Frances Fisher. She’s radiant.
Do you have a favorite movie?
Gladiator. Hands down. But if I’m in the mood to laugh, then it’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall; I can quote the entire movie!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Currently you will find me working out at The Green Yogi, Fit On Studios, running the strand, or eating at Four Daughters Kitchen with my best girl friends—usually no makeup and Lulu Lemon outfit on! In five years I hope to still be in Manhattan Beach as it has given me a wonderful community that reminds me of my small town of Woodinville. But beyond that I hope to be well established and respected in my industry as an actress, spokeswoman, and role model.
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N ATH AN AN DE RSON TRIPLE THREAT
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Written by Melanie Thompson Photos provided by Nathan Anderson ne regular night at a crowded bar, while knocking back beers with his buddies and watching women walk on by, Nathan Anderson was struck with a brilliant idea. Anderson had been commissioned by his single friends to help reel in the ladies, most likely because he already had a girlfriend and was known as the “funny guy” who sets them at ease. “Dude! You’ve got to help us out here!” they begged, exasperated with trying to pick up girls who would rather hide out in the bathroom all night than make eye contact with a member of the opposite sex. Anderson turned to his friends, let loose a cheeky smile, and said, “Alright. I’m going to give this thing a shot. Just go with it.” So Anderson, a tattooed, poker playing, former dirt bike racer stopped a group of good-looking women in their tracks. Before they could tell him to get lost, he pointed to one girl’s shoes and shrieked in an effected, effeminate voice, “OH. MY. GOD. Those are the cutest shoes I’ve seen all night. Like, f-ing ridiculous.” And just like that, a switch had been flipped. The girls’ faces lit up. Wide smiles replaced their skepticism, and they followed him back to his group of friends. All it took was pretending to be gay. Nine years later, Anderson had another brilliant idea. He made a movie about it.
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Currently, Anderson is in the final stages of editing Chicks Dig Gay Guys, a comedy that he co-wrote, starred in and independently produced. The film promises to be a hilarious embellishment of his pretending-to-be-gay adventures and has the potential to put Anderson on the map. He recently returned from the Cannes Film Festival, where the trailer for the movie was well received. It’s been a long time coming for this self-made man, who proves that not all movie producers inherit their jobs from their famous family or come from money. Anderson isn’t even a college graduate; his education was in the art of charisma and charm, quick thinking, and how to stay on the grind. He reconverts vintage motorcycles into café racers for rent money while waiting to see if the movie will make a profit. He sold his Audi to help garner cash for the film and hasn’t had a steady paycheck in two years. But this stamina for hard work and ability to follow through has created a confidence that makes some form of success inevitable. “I’m a firm believer that if you stick with it, you’ll get it eventually,” he says. Anderson’s love for entertaining developed early; he took theater classes and was voted class clown in high school, an accolade he’s still very proud of today. But his interest in the arts had to compete with another obsession. “There were two things I always wanted to do in life, which was either to be an actor, or ride motocross,” he says. Initially, he chose motocross. He loved it, of course, and even rupturing his spleen and puncturing a lung couldn’t curb his enthusiasm for the sport—until he crashed again six months later. “Two near death experiences within six months,” he reminisces. “I figured alright, maybe I’ll slow down a little bit.”
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All it took was pretending to be gay. Nine years later, Anderson had another brilliant idea. He made a movie about it
As it was, Anderson had always been stricken with a kind of job ADD. “I always get kind of stir crazy and I get tired of things really quickly,” he admits, which led him to try a bevy of different professions. There was the Chevrolet dealership in Glendale, where he worked as a car salesman at the tender age of nineteen and developed his business instincts. When he tired of that, he played poker, scrapping around in and out of casinos for about a year. Through all of this Anderson still dreamt of acting professionally, but was reluctant to throw himself into the rat race that is the life of an aspiring actor. “I’ve always been one to try to create my own destiny,” he says. “The thought of going to auditions and grinding it out, which is extremely tough and I have nothing but respect for the people who do that… but to go up against thousands of other people who I’m sure are far better actors than me, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to beat them at that game.” Finally, an opportunity to move into the entertainment industry arose through one of his mentors, a family friend named Danny Stepper. Stepper became the producer of a soccer film called Goal, and Anderson spied a chance to get his foot in the door. “I put together whatever somewhat crappy resume that I could and I cornered him in a meeting,” he says, “and was like, here’s the deal. I’m going to work for free for one year, I’ll figure out a way to survive, I’ll play poker, I’ll sleep on a couch, I’ll do whatever, but I’ll be your assistant for a year. I want to learn the film business. You can’t say no, and if you say no I’ll be at your porch at five a.m. tomorrow knocking at your door and I’m going to annoy the hell out of you.” It worked. “I got a really in-the-streets, hardcore education on film production,” Anderson attests. Over the following four to five years Anderson worked as Stepper’s assistant on a number of films, which
showcased to Stepper Anderson‘s business savvy and drive. Aware that he didn’t want to simply “stand around in line and wait for my turn,” Stepper pledged to teach Anderson how to be a producer. “I’ll show you the ropes,” Stepper told him, “and then one day, why don’t you produce your own film and act in it?” Chicks Dig Gay Guys is this plan put into action. Anderson co-wrote the script with a friend and sought out friends and investors to finance the movie. The movie centers on friends Scooter (Anderson) and Brad (Brian Patrick Murphy) who, as Anderson did in real life, channel their inner queer-eye to get chicks. Scooter’s endgame is getting the ladies into bed, but Brad is looking for the real deal, bringing a moral undertone to an otherwise raunchy comedy. Brad ends up convincing the girl of his dreams that he’s gay, and has to find a way to show her who he really is. “Most people start a relationship with a lie,” Anderson comments, likening Brad’s situation to the real world. “Modern dating is so jacked up. Everyone’s been in that situation where you show your cards too soon and people think you’re needy, so people don’t put their cards on the table and be themselves.” Through all the feather boas and sequined jackets, the message of the film is that when it comes to looking for love, it’s best to be yourself. On set, however, being himself meant being an actor, producer and writer all at once. “We had a three week shoot schedule, broken down into four weeks after pick-ups, six day weeks, twelve hour shoot days, and I ended up being on set probably seventeen to eighteen hours a day,” he remembers. “I ended up running around a lot and basically not sleeping for the month.” The lights would go up on set and Anderson would be full on in character, sashaying his hips and
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exposing his thong; when the director yelled cut he was on the phone with investors, assuring them that filming was going smoothly and asking them to wire more money. “I remember every once in a while the little voice in the back of my head asking, are you in over your head, are you going to be able to pull this off, this is nuts, how are you going to raise the money while you’re filming? It was an all out scramble, but we somehow made it.” The journey has forced a number of sacrifices and involved risking everything: his finances, his professional reputation, his personal relationships. But for Anderson, the alternative—playing it safe— would be the biggest risk of all. When he was working at the Chevrolet dealership and bringing home big checks, Anderson realized how easy it could be to settle. “I would always talk with the other sales guys about what I want to do in life and they all kept telling me go do it, because it’s really easy to get comfortable there. And I did really well that first year and I was like, great! I’m young, I’m making money, and they all said, ‘You’ll get trapped. You’re going to wake up and you’re going to be me, you’ll be 40 or 50 and you’ll still be doing this. Go do something. Go be crazy, go try stupid stuff, whatever.’” He took this advice to heart. “I’m sure I’d never again take a job just for a job,” he says. “Whether I make money or not, I love my life. Every day I wake up and do exactly what I want to do.” After all, as Chicks Dig Gay Guys teaches, the best way to succeed is to be true to who you are, and for Anderson, that means following his life-long dream of being an actor and producer. When it comes to being a force in entertainment, Anderson is officially coming out of the closet.
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Priscilla
W itte
To a Summer 5 Years Long written by Phillip Montgomery
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photography by Carly Hebert
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If the idea of a five-year long summer sounds like something of a fantasy, then allow photographer and painter Priscilla Witte to change your perspective. The Upstate New York native came to the southland in 2004 to make a clean break, and so it goes - what was meant to be a three month stint in California before heading back to Syracuse where Priscilla majored in child psychology, instead turned into a five year stay - and she has no intention of leaving anytime soon. In fact, with her keen fashion sensibilities and beautiful bright smile, Priscilla exudes all the greatness that is the heart and soul of the Southern California Art scene. It’s impossible to imagine her living anywhere else. Yet, all the chart world can’t take away from the fact that Priscilla is one of Los Angeles’ pre-eminent up and coming photographers. In less than a year’s time, her work has been featured in over four galleries in Santa Monica, Venice, and Hermosa Beach. The vision of her photography is unmistakable with vibrant saturated colors and a stylized point of view.
the frame. We ask if we can anticipate seeing any more of her in front of the camera. Her response is one of confidence, yet humbleness, “As long as I’m taking the photo, my shadow over that Volkswagen is as close to a self portrait as you’re ever going to get!” It’s a shame with Priscilla’s natural beauty and style, but so be it as long as she continues her brilliant work behind the camera.
Check out her website and blog out at: priscillawittephotography.blogspot.com http://priscillawittephoto.com
“One of my favorite photos is one of an old Volkswagen. In it you see the bright orange of the paint, the Volkswagen logo from a varied angle, and then a shadow of me taking the picture. I like to take what’s normal and turn it into the abstract, giving it a heightened reality,” says Priscilla. Still, for all the vibrant and saturated colors that fills her frame, it’s Priscilla’s take on the more nostalgic things in life that brings a truly unique quality to her work. “I’m not a big fan of taking pictures of people. I’m more comfortable with landscapes, but I love old things, cars, homes, rustic wood structures and so on.” It is that unique perspective on life’s more familiar settings that gives her work such life, challenging our senses to see the places and things common in our lives in ways we’ve never seen them before. SWOOPTHIS.COM
Yet, as she stays clear of portrait photography, we go back to that photo of the Volkswagen, with Priscilla’s own shadow draped across SWOOPMAGAZINE.COM
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Written by Sarah Nicole Valdez Photo provided by Chef Matt
Online http://chefmatt.com http://mydailysalad.com Matt@chefmatt.com
Chef Matt
Phone (310) 710 - 7623
Chef Matt is definitely the coolest chef you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. For Matt, food is a vital part of life that should be enjoyed as an enlightening experience. Enthusiasm for food has led Chef Matt to produce awesome events characterized by a unique blend of food, art and music. Further, Matt enjoys sharing his passion through private cooking lessons, cooking live at events, and through websites like MyDailySalad. com. Chef Matt’s neo-holistic approach to food makes private lessons an enjoyable learning experience, unattainable through reading recipes alone. Please take a taste of Chef Matt’s culinary sublime. His catering events and private lessons are as fun as they are delicious!
Which of your catering events are you especially proud of? I’m proud of everything I do. Even when I make mistakes here and there, I pull it together into a success. But I have to say, I’m especially proud of my first Chef Matt Catering event. I had just finished culinary school, and I hadn’t done any catering on my own yet. At the time, I was working with an awesome chef who I was really looking forward to learning from. As it turned out, she got sick at the last minute. I suddenly had to to run a dinner party for 25 executives from Loyola Marymount University. The mission: cater 5 appetizers and a 3 course meal for the entire dinner party, with only one assistant. I was nervous; but, in the end, everything turned out perfect. It was that event that gave me my confidence as a chef. In that moment I proved to myself that I could do anything on my own.
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In addition, this confidence has allowed me to breakthrough into a new style of events. I’ve changed the game by forming an artistic collaborative at my events which includes food, music, and visual art. I pull from my network of musicians of all genres to provide music (Sand Section has been the favorite amongst the guests); and, I’ve teamed up with a spectral art company called JumbieArt to provide art (JumbieArt.com). JumbieArt is a new form of visual art that reacts to color changing light. This type of art has rarely been seen or done before. In a word, it’s radical. It adds an entirely novel dimension to my events! You’ll have to come to one and experience it some time.
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“I believe there is a deeply rooted connection between the process of cooking food and interpersonal relationships.”
“This neo-holistic approach to food makes private lessons an enjoyable learning experience, unattainable through reading recipes alone.”
In addition to the myriad of other services you provide as a chef, you also teach others how to cook. Why have you chosen to do so? Cooking is one of the oldest forms of oral tradition that has been passed down through people and families for generations over time. I believe there is a deeply rooted connection between the process of cooking food and interpersonal relationships. That deep connection exists because that’s how people have done it since the beginning of time! Food has always been a way of forming bonds within communities and families. It’s a shame that our modern day culture has insulated this interaction through written recipes. Recipes originally came from person to person interactions, through the process of hands on demonstration. I value that interpersonal aspect. It’s an important part of the culinary learning process, as opposed to simply referencing a written recipe. Another important thing I like relationship with food. It’s that food comes from nature and the universe, like ourselves.
to teach is our easy to forget is a subject of These days it’s
daily salad
definitely not given the respect it deserves. When handling and cooking ingredients, you want to really respect and appreciate the beauty of it, where it came from, and how its going to become part of you. Understanding our connection to food has allowed me to approach the cooking process as a sacred space--culinary technique is only one part of the equation. This mindset will motivate you to improve your cooking skills so you can unlock the maximum potential of your ingredients and enjoy the benefits of doing so. It’s this idea that sparked me to create my blog, MyDailySalad.com. I’ve created the site as a service to my community. I dedicate myself to sharing my knowledge with people. I want people to learn from it so they too can enjoy flavorful food; like I do.
What inspires you as a Chef? I find inspiration in the fact that food is one of the most important resources on earth, which we have an intimate relationship with, but can totally be creative with and take pleasure in consuming. What other resource on earth has that much intrinsic value?
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FAT FACE FENNERS Fishook fishack
hermosa’s oldest irish pub award winning new england clam chowder and sushi • best of the beach burgers • Best promenade overviews in hermosa
hours mon-fri 11:30 am - 1 am Sat 10 am - 1 am sun 9 am- 1 am 53 pier ave hermosa beach, ca 90254 310.379.5550 Fat face fenner’s fishhook and fishack offers a full compliment of domestic, premium and imported beers and spirits. ask your server & we’ll be happy to make it for your
Written by Scott Bailey Photo by Carly Hebert
Address 3201 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste A Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Coast Chiropractic Center
Phone (310) 376 - 8949
Coast Chiropractic Center has been voted #1 in the South Bay! They’ve been in the same location for 30 years in Hermosa Beach! Have you ever been to Coast Chiropractic? Well, if you haven’t, you should. I’ve been there, and I have to say it’s the coolest doctor’s office I’ve ever been to. The energy in the office is very chill. They are welcoming and the staff must have attended some kind of seminar on how to be cool if you’re working in a doctor’s office. Dr. Baker and Dr. Giacalone have been working together for over 30 years! Talk about a partnership. Most marriages don’t last a quarter of that time! These guys have been rated many times over by multiple publications as the number one chiropractic office in the south bay. If you’re interested in chiropractic care, or if you just want to hang out in a cool place, drop by their office and say hi—you won’t be disappointed. Your spine is the super highway for all information coming from your brain to the rest of your body. If there are any road blocks, detours or cracks in the road, it slows down the effectiveness of the entire body, and sometimes can be quite painful. These guys are the best at solving those problems; plus, you’ll enjoy yourself while you’re there. The office is located right on PCH, across the street from the new Sketchers building. In fact, if you ask me, Sketchers should do themselves a favor and consult with Dr. Baker and Dr. Giacalone to see if the shoes they make are good for a person’s spine. All they’d have to do is take a quick walk across the street to consult with the experts!
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Live the Southern California lifestyle at your best— contact the doctors at Coast Chiropractic Center today.
Your spine is the super highway for all information coming from your brain to the rest of your body.
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