Hollywood - House Of Coco Magazine

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

FIVE MINUTES WITH WES AVILA – THE CHEF BEHIND LA’S GREATEST TACOS

House of Coco were recently lucky enough to be invited down to Breddos Tacos’ one weekend only collaborations with LA’s taco truck legends Guerrilla Tacos. We grabbed five minutes with Wes Avila, the man behind the best sweet potato taco we’ve ever had. (EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’d seen the movie ‘Chef’, this is it IRL!)

HOC: We’re increasingly seeing food becoming a very important component for choosing a holiday destination. We know we do it all the time! Do you see this a lot in L.A.?

WA: Yes very much. Even on my own trips, a huge influence is if the destination is known for a great food scene. L.A. continues to offer one of the best and most diverse culinary scenes in the world which appeals to young travellers. From the relaxed offering at our food trucks to innovative fine dining by the world leading chefs, to chef-driven, fast-casual cuisine, Los Angeles has it all.

HOC: As this is your first time in London we know you’ve been checking out the food scene. What are the differences between the L.A./London food scenes?

WA: The London food scene seemed more relaxed – the food was fantastic and service was great. A lot of times in L.A. people are clamouring to find the new hot thing and I didn’t feel that was the case in London.

HOC: This collab seems made in heaven, how did it come about?

WA: I met Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney from Breddos Tacos on a trip to Tijuana, Baja California. On that same group of people was Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish, Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria, Eddie Ruiz of Corazon Y Miel and myself. It was arranged by Bill Esparza so Breddos being in that same group of people already opened a door to across the pond collaboration possibilities. I have never visited London so when we had a chance to collaborate on an event I jumped at it!

HOC: You’ve wanted to be a top taquero for years but when you look at other food movements that are taking off, if it hadn’t had been tacos, what would you have like to be a master in?

WA: I probably would have gravitated toward producing food rather than cooking. I’ve always found the art of cheese making as super interesting. Maybe I would have become a cheese maker….

HOC: Everyone can get on board with a good cheese! Finally, what’s your favourite food place in L.A. right now?

My favourite food place is probably Baroo (5706 Santa Monica Blvd) . There are a ton of great places here but that place stood out. Fantastic food!

House of Coco will be heading out to Los Angeles in early March and will bring you some more amazing food from the sunshine state. If you’re heading out there check out guerrillatacos.com for their locations!

For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at DiscoverLosAngeles.com , join the more than one million people who follow L.A. Tourism’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Arts November 9, 2023

No-one likes the tuna here!: Taco Tuesday adventure in Los Angeles

Question! (say it like Beyonce, go on) …. On a Taco Tuesday in central Los Angeles are you going to settle for the local bar’s offering of limp, soggy excuses for tacos or go on a quest to hit not just one, but two of LA’s most gossiped about food trucks?!

Answer: Of course you are going to scour twitter to find these beacons of tortilla joy and take that all important ‘food against the sky’ shot your social media followers are dying to see.

Last week the wonderful team at Discover Los Angeles tipped us off about the trucks we had to visit and so we found ourselves heading up the queue at Korean BBQ dreamland, Kogiat their Downtown LA spot, which is just across from the incredible The Broad (seriously, go!) and the MOCA.

The truck itself looks like something out of the skateboard movies of our teenage dreams, fully metal, covered in stickers and manned by a very efficient team of chefs.

We kicked off Taco Tuesday with a short rib Taco at Kogi BBQ which, at the bargain price of $2.50 was a two bite piece of meaty BBQ heaven. The warming spice of the meat is balanced by the griddled corn tortilla and we’d wager is probably the best thing you can get change on three dollars for.

Our appetites whetted we hunted down our next taco stop; Guerrilla Tacos. You might remember these guys from our interview with head chef, Wes Avila, when he teamed up with Breddos Tacos here in London (see here for more on that). This time we’re visiting him on his home turf, in the iconic, spray painted taco mothership. You’ll always find the Guerrilla Taco truck pitching up outside a coffee shop or wine bar; marrying the street food deity perfectly with a little pick me up.

An aqua fresca and innovative sweet potato taco set us up perfectly for an afternoon of adventuring. Just full enough to trek up to the Griffith Observatory but not too full that we couldn’t entertain indulging in a sneaky little donut on the way!

If you are planning a trip stateside we’d wholeheartedly recommend checking out www.discoverlosangeles.com for all your foodie delights…you can thank us later!

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Peanut butter machine run by #GirlBoss Doris & ice-cream parlours from the 40s : The Farmers’ Market, LA

I’m sure we’ve all been to a Farmers’ Market in the last couple of months, hell some of us will have been to one this week. So, it was with some skepticism that #TeamCoco rocked up to the Farmers’ Market in LA. Nestled next to famous shopping spot The Grove and the TV studio magic of the CBS Studios, this is an unlikely spot for a slice of vintage americana but if you take one thing from this article; this is so much more than a market.

We’re met by Maritza from the market’s team who give us a colourful tour of the market’s history and points out some of the 70-odd merchants at the site who are all small, family run outfits that are carefully vetted and nurtured by the market.

While Maritza isn’t available generally for tours she tipped us off about www.meltingpottours.com who run a 2.5 hour stroll around the market with sampling included. We’ll be back to try out their tour next time.

Any history buff will die in the presence of the stories within the market’s walls. In 1880 A. F Gilmore bought two dairy farms in what is now Los Angeles and in 1934 he was approached by two local entrepreneurs with an idea for a ‘village’ where farmers could sell their produce…

Fast forward to 2017, through silver screen legends like Shirley Temple working behind the counter of Brock’s Candies during a 1936 fundraiser, Marilyn Munroe opening a cheesecake stall (yes, really), Frank Sinatra hanging out at Patsy’s Pizza (that you can STILL visit today) and a little bit about a flying lion called Gilmore ; you can turn up, shop for souvenirs, eat great food and grab a local beer and watch live music.

We visited E.B’s Wine & Beer for a local beer flight and a live pianist, Pampas Grill for South American BBQ, Magee’s House of Nuts to chat to the market’s longest serving employee, Doris and Bennett’s Ice-Cream for an epic hot fudge sundae.

The Market is open 9am- 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 7pm Sunday. We’d recommend heading there for early evening to soak up the atmosphere, we caught a Beatles cover band while we were there!

Find out more about Los Angeles with Discover Los Angeles:

One of the world’s most dynamic and diverse destinations, Los Angeles comprises 88 cities and is considered the cultural hub of the Pacific Rim. Home to near-perfect weather, 75 miles of jaw-dropping shoreline, more museums than any other U.S. city and an award-winning culinary scene, Los Angeles presents endless possibilities that keep its more than 45 million annual visitors entertained. For more information, visit discoverLosAngeles.com , facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

It’s getting hot in here – Park’s Finest; Your BBQ destination in Los Angeles

Let’s start by saying, we need more BBQ emojis to do justice to the joy of this dinner trip with girlfriends in Los Angeles. But, never fear, do we have some foodporn shots for you!

Through the excellent online guides of Discover Los Angeles (discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do) we discovered this Californian / Filipino BBQ restaurant nestled in hipster hot spot, Echo Park. A deceptively simple decor and menu doesn’t hint at the complex flavours hidden within. I mean, who knew a carrot could taste so good, especially in a meat-eaters heaven?

We flopped down in the banquettes and decided it was only fair on you, dear reader to pretty much order one of everything. We all have hungry friends and flatmates to share in our leftovers, don’t you worry.

Our picks included Sixteen Hour Slow Roasted Pulled Pork, Beef Tri-Tip, a medley of US and Filipino Hot Link Sausages and Cornbread Bibinka to soak up all the juices. BBQ to one side it was the Coconut Beef that blew all of us away; smoked chuck steak in coconut cream. Oh. My. Days.

We grazed on the goodness in between sips of local beers from Eagle Rock Brewery and Stone Brewery until we had to beg the friendly team to pack it away as we’d never stop eating.

As for our hungry friends and other halves; they ended up with the same meal we’d had thanks to the generous portion sizes and we got change for $90!

We couldn’t recommend this spot more, come hungry; maybe at lunch time, so you have the best chance of doing justice to all the tempting dishes!

You can, and you really SHOULD, visit The Park’s Finest (theparksfinest.com) at 1267 W Temple St, Los Angeles

For more information on what to do with your time in Los Angeles, visit the official visitor information website discoverLosAngeles.com, join the more than one million people who follow facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Beauty November 9, 2023

#CocoBeauty: Want a celebrity smile?

Our teeth are the first thing that someone sees when they are talking to us, and if our smile is wide and our teeth are white and bright then they light up our entire face.

The look for 2018 is to have a perfect ‘celebrity’ smile and we at #TeamCoco HQ are wholeheartedly into looking after our teeth, we follow some hard and fast dentistry rules to get that all-important bright smile.

We spoke to dentist to the stars Dr Richard Marques about how to look after our teeth correctly, what we should be using to achieve perfect white teeth, any trends we should be in to, and also who his famous clients are.

How long have you been a dentist to the stars?
It’s been around five years now, and with each year, more talent seem to be stepping through my door, which is fantastic.

Where is your surgery/clinic based?
It’s on Wimpole Street in the Harley Street District of Central London.

What is your most requested treatment?
At the moment, a lot of my customers are chasing the ‘Meghan Markle’ Hollywood smile. We offer the Enlighten Teeth Whitening Treatment that can whiten up to 16 shades both easily and safely so that’s a really popular one. After the initial appointment, whitening can be done at home so it’s super convenient.

What is your number one tip for cleaning teeth correctly at home?
I always recommend people to use an electric toothbrush. Ultimately, they make brushing easier meaning you can worry less about technique. They help you to maintain consistent pressure so you’re not brushing too harshly and many have timers so you know when you’ve brushed for the optimum amount of time!

Is there anything we shouldn’t be doing when we brush our teeth?
Never brush too aggressively as it can be really harmful to gums and actually start to damage the precious enamel coating of the teeth.

Can you suggest any foods to stay away from that stain the teeth?
Any highly pigmented food can stain the teeth. The biggest culprits are blueberries, beetroot, tomatoes and dark sauces such as balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Dark drinks like tea, coffee and red wine can also stain, so always follow with a good swish of water!

What product(s) would you recommend to get perfect white teeth?
Depending on the level of results you’re looking to achieve, it’s always best to consult with your dentist and look at a professional whitening program. But day to day, a consistent oral health routine is genuinely your best bet at maintaining a naturally white smile!

What product(s) do you use personally use from your own range?
I regularly take my Co-Enzyme Q10 supplements to help maintain the strength and health of the gums, and I always use the 100% Natural Whitening Peppermint Charcoal Paste to polish my teeth before a night out or TV appearance etc.

How long should a professional whitening last?
This depends on how well you look after your teeth and the condition they’re in when the whitening is done. It also depends on the type of treatment you have – it could last 12 months or it could last a few years – everyone is different.

Are you developing any new products that we can expect to see in the future?
This year we launched the Peppermint and Strawberry Charcoal Toothpastes in the By Richard Marques range so that’s been a big focus, but we’re always looking at new product ideas and developing the range to fit consumer demand, so watch this space!

Dr Richard Marques products include Natural Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste (£24), Natural Whitening Peppermint Charcoal Toothpaste (£29), Natural Whitening Strawberry Toothpaste (£24), Super Strong Natural Whitening Mouthwash (£24), Co-Enzyme Q10 Supplements (£34) plus a number of bundles/collections from the above including toothpaste bundles (£44 – £58) and more. All available online from Dr Richard.

Well-known names that are clients of Dr Richard include Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Olivier Proudlock, Binky Felstead, Pete Wicks, Louisa Johnson, Jamie Redknapp, Russel Tovey, Tom Daley, Sinitta, Rosie Fortescue, Eyal Booker, Alex Bowen, and Olivia Buckland.

Accessories November 9, 2023

Best Dressed Royal Wedding Guest

Just like you, Team Coco are sat at home on this glorious sunny Saturday, watching and waiting, with bated breath, for all the dreamy grandeur of the Royal Wedding in Windsor. We excitedly watch our screens in earnest anticipation for Prince Harry to take Meghan Markle as his lawfully wedded wife — and of course, to meet the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

As the world lays in wait, we watch crowds of well-dressed celebrities walk down in front of the crowds of well-wishers who have camped out to secure the best view of the procession. We ask ourselves — what colourful frock will Her Majesty be donning today? Will Prince William be paying a sartorial homage to the late Princess Diana? All questions soon to be answered by one of the most highly anticipated weddings in years. Oprah Winfrey, Amal Clooney, and the Beckhams (of course) are all in attendance giving us some serious occasion-wear inspiration. And while we may have lost our Save-the-dates in the mail, here’s our top five picks for Royal Wedding inspired dresses for the season. So you can be the best-dressed guest for any upcoming nuptials – royal or not.

1. Riviera One Shoulder Dress by Temperley London
2. Powder Blue Dress by Malene Oddershede Bach at Fenwick of Bond Street
3. Celestina Dress by Erdem
4. Asymmetric Dress by Layeur at The Modist
5. Meret Blue Satin Florence Dress by Erdem

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

City of stars, are you shining just for me? Reliving LaLa Land at Grand Central Market

You’ve seen it haven’t you? And you either can’t get enough of Emma and Ryan and their modern Romeo and Juliet, dreams will tear you apart, dancing around lamp posts joy. Or you can’t stand the flipping thing; the jaunty tunes, slightly off key singing and the relentless nods to classic movies.

Whatever your take, you can’t deny that it makes Los Angeles look like the absolute dream. Surely the tourism board put Damien Chazelle up for that but if not, they owe him, big time!

Basing a whole trip around an epic film would be crazy (but don’t put it past #TeamCoco!) but we were lucky enough to cram in a number of romantic spots from the movie by simply heading to DTLA’s Grand Central Market.

This year is the market’s centenary as a covered market and refreshingly since 1917 the core values of the market have remained the same. As the City of Stars has had face lift after face lift, the market has maintained its charm and its purpose in the community as somewhere to grab fresh produce, some dinner and a drink and meet a friend.

The current administration of the space want to continue to preserve it as a place that showcases the best of the local area’s produce, chefs and entrepreneurs with carefully vetted vendors and live DJ nights that keep the atmosphere alive.

We could spend all day telling you about where to eat and drink (for instance, Eggslut is a phenomenon, G&B coffee have world class baristas and a green juice from Press Brothers’ Juicery will cure any hangover) but we’re here to walk in the foot steps of our star crossed lovers aren’t we?!

In one of the most heart-soaringly romantic parts of the movie we’re treated to a number of incredible dates where the city of Los Angeles facilitates Seb and Mia falling deeply in love. Within the market you can sit (as many couples who were there did!) at the stools at Sarita’s Pupuseria for Salvadorean cuisine.

Leaving the market to the Hill Street side you will catch a real slice of old Los Angeles with the funicular Angel’s Flight, once the world’s shortest railway when it opened in 1901. This incredible piece of old school public transport had been out of service for years, including when the film was filmed but has since been confirmed to be restored and reopened to the public.

We’d like to think that some movie magic might have helped that to happen…

.If that isn’t enough movie magic for you, we have two options left: jump in a cab up to Griffith Observatory to try out dancing with the stars and incredible views of the Hollywood Sign and the city beneath you.

Or, a little closer to the market, we were tipped off to pop into the Bradbury Building across the road which, while not in La La Land has starred in movies like Blade Runner, 500 Days of Summer and as the Twix factory in the recent TV campaign…

Find out more about how you can visit more La La Land filming locations through Discover Los Angeles at https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/lalaland

Arts November 9, 2023

I’ll sleep when I get home : Solo Travel in LA & Ojai , Weekend 1

This #TeamCoco writer just got back from a crazy old time away in Los Angeles. A chronic over-researcher with a huge fear of missing out (HUGE!) I did too much and came back a shattered but very happy person. Originally this trip was all about the Girl Boss Rally (see this post) and a few nice foodie things to tell you all about but it seemed to organically turn into so much more…

Incredible people were met, Native American rituals attended, many taco salads wolfed down and lots of embracing jet lag and seeing the dawn happened. Maybe some of this list will be helpful, maybe you’ll just think I’m totally loco and go and have a sit down. Your choice!

Whatever you take away, please know that it is completely possible to travel solo in Los Angeles and without a car. We’re big fans of solo trips here at House of Coco and would love to hear your stories too!

This is Weekend 1 of my adventure, keep your eyes peeled for more of the journey later this week….

FRIDAY

2pm: Landed at LAX, grabbed a ‘Pool’ Uber (you’ll usually save 30% on the price of a cab to yourself but your journey will take much longer!) to Sunset Boulevard to set up for a networking event at an incredible Breather.com meeting space

10pm: After an incredible evening of networking it was time to grab a Lyft (another Uber type app) back to Venice Beach to a friend’s for the night.

SATURDAY

7am: Cab to DTLA (Downtown LA) to attend the Girl Boss Rally at Hudson Loft, 1200 S Hope St (see full write up here)

8pm: Cocktails on the roof of the Hudson Loft followed by a quick drink at Lotus Hookah Bar (3742 S Flower St)

SUNDAY

7am: Yay for jet lag! Up, showered and scratching at the door of motorbike shop / cafe Deus Ex Machina (1001 Venice Boulevard) for cold brew and avocado on toast

9am: After walking down to Abbot Kinney Boulevard (a fantastic shopping street) I got the greenest juice I could possibly find from Pressed Juicery (1653 Abbot Kinney Blvd) and warded off aeroplane germs with it, in between snapping the famous ‘colour walls’ of the street.

10:00am: Following the vague direction of the sea, I spied the ocean and sat amongst ladies in athleisurewear meditating in front of the surf.

10:30am: Even in March, the sun is beating down so I wandered off in the direction of the architecturally stunning Venice Canals, then jumped in a cab to Sephora (Waterside, Marina del Rey). When will they open Sephora in the UK?!

12:00pm: After purchasing sun screen at Sephora our outside brunch at Sunny Spot (822 Washington Blvd) is well, not very sunny and we end up in the cosy Venice Alehouse (2 Rose Avenue) with mimosas, tacos and a view of the beach.

2:00pm: Back on Abbot Kinney Boulevard we pop into fantastic stores and sample a Blueberry and Bourbon donut from infamous fried treat providers Blue Star (1142 Abbot Kinney).

4:00pm: We leave Venice and head up to hipster hangout Los Feliz. We fight the urge to buy all the #GirlBoss vibed items at feminist store OtherWild (1768 N Vermont Ave) but do give into incense at beautifully curated BellJar (1764 N Vermont Ave).

8:00pm: Post a very long ‘Pool’ journey back to Venice Beach we order TenderGreens salad takeaway and crash out.

MONDAY

6am: Yay jet lag again! The only coffee shop open at this hour is Stumptown Coffee in the Arts District (806 S Santa Fe Ave) so off we went to soak up the industrial vibes and try to mainline Cold Brew coffee with chocolate milk…

10am: You can’t visit Los Angeles without checking out Bottega Louie (700 S Grand Ave) It’s an astonishing grand cafe style restaurant that makes you feel like you are in the Hotel Budapest. The macarons are legend.

11:30am: We geeked out a crazy amount at the incredible California Science Centre (700 Exposition Park Drive) with the Science Behind Pixar exhibit and epic IMAX feature ‘Dream Big’. Told you we were massive geeks.

1:00pm: Accidental vegan lunch at Wild Living (760 S Main St) Foods gives us enough energy to check out The Original Farmer’s Market (6333 W 3rd St, more on this in another post soon!)

7:00pm: Back to Venice Beach for truffle fries and local craft beers at quirky Hotel Erwin (1697 Pacific Ave)

Want more mad adventures? Come back later this week for more from this kooky trip to La La Land. In our next instalment, we’ll share more about spiritual home, Ojai in Ventura County. And yes, you can get there on public transport!

Accessories November 9, 2023

I’ll sleep when I get home: Solo travel in Los Angeles and Ojai, Hippy retreat

LaLaLand was explored Part 1 of this mini series where I walked you through my first mad weekend in Los Angeles at the Girl Boss Rally and exploring the retro Farmers’ Market. Come with me as I fill you in on the new rural escape giving Palm Springs a run for its visitor-friendly money.

Introducing… Ojai.

TUESDAY

7am: Up early with purpose this morning as we were off to spiritual city Ojai, in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles. Despite the looks of utter confusion on Angelenos’ faces, it is very easy to get to on public transport.

11:30am: A $25, 2 hour Amtrak train ride took us from Los Angeles‘ epic and film-famous Union Station, through stations that were almost definitely from WestWorld, past film sets to Ventura where an easy Uber ride dropped us at another accidental hip vegan lunch spot The Farmer and The Cook.

1:00pm: Arrow Heart Yoga in Ojai has a resident masseuse, Lauren who is beyond incredible. We went in feeling like death reheated and came out dancing on rainbows. What was in that tea?

5:00pm: We checked in at great value and super comfy The Hummingbird Inn on the outskirts of downtown Ojai after taking the local old fashioned shuttle from the yoga studio. Changed for dinner we wander the cute main street, checking out thrift stores for the next day and eat the chef’s special tacos at Agave Maria with a local mandarin frozen margarita. This has to be living the dream.

7:00pm: An ice-cream night cap at retro parlour Ojai Ice Cream

WEDNESDAY

9:00am: After a restorative night’s rest we are back on the path again, first thing checking out our hotel’s neighbour the gorgeous 70s style The Capri Hotel with our complimentary morning coffee in hand. In fact, our hotel and The Capri have been purchased by small chain Shelter Social Club who have great plans to bring the hotels back to their former glories with chilled pool parties and super comfortable suites from which to explore the local nature.

12:00pm: Having smashed through the goodies in amazing local thrift stores (2nd Helpings, New 2 You) We fall upon the biggest cinnamon bun we’ve ever seen in Ojai Cafe Emporium with a box salad to enjoy later.

2:00pm: Continuing down the main street we visit gorgeous interior shop DeKor and end up in local outpost of Beacon Coffee for a nitro cold brew (yes, we thought they were making it up too but apparently not, it’s everywhere.)

3:00pm: Now for our real secret and you’ve got to promise that only the truly worthy will hear of this…. To use the stunning spa at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, yes, the 5* one where Audrey Hepburn used to stay and real life silver screen legends like Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts frequent …you don’t need to be a hotel guest, just book a treatment and you can spend all afternoon in the Spa. Mic drop.

We opted for the Kuyam, a treatment inspired by the local Chumash Native American Indians, then read magazines and drank local herbal tea to our hearts’ content.

6:00pm: Sitting on the spa terrace we witness Ojai’s famous ‘Pink Moment’ when the sun sets and turns the mountains pink as it does so. We had no camera on us in the spa to capture it for you, you should probably just go and see for yourselves.

7:00pm: We round off our 5* experience with a local beer at Jimmy’s Pub gazing at the outlines of the mountains and all the stars we never get to see at home.

THURSDAY

9:30am: We check out new bakery on the block, Knead. If you have to check that the coffee and orange peel studded breakfast cake is, indeed for one person, this is our kind of place!

11:00am: A few more shops to hit up on the search for presents for friends back home ; FIG living stands out for their inspirational quote tea towels and make up bags and for the fact that, as it’s International Women’s Day, they are donating 20% of their takings to a local fund that empowers girls to speak up for themselves. Totally #GirlBoss so we naturally buy everything.

12:00pm: A last lunch in Ojai at colourful 50s style diner Bonnie Lu’s before catching the Amtrak back to Los Angeles for our final weekend.

2:00pm: We didn’t bet on the local cab company taking so long to pick us up (too accustomed to Uber, clearly) so we miss the Amtrak. Grr. However, we do learn that our driver used to be a top chef in LA and hangs out at mountain retreats with Woody Harrelson.

2:30pm: No fear, we can get an Uber out here at the Amtrak station back into Los Angeles. We take shelter from the sun in cute Sandbox Coffee House right by the station and are saved by Frank who is happy to take us the 1.15hr drive back to the city.

3:00pm: Driving through the valleys we blast out Social Distortion, stopping at an incredible local fruit stand and spying Magic Mountain.

4:30pm: A spot of Los Angeles traffic later we arrive at our low cost hotel for the last few nights in LA; PodShare is a budget but well prepared shared working / living space which only sets us back $40/night in Los Feliz

6:00pm: Out in town again, this time to sample the Filipino BBQ delights of The Park’s Finest ; check back soon for the full review of this awesome meaty feast. No vegans allowed!

Arts November 9, 2023

An evening at the Life Ball: Vienna’s Most Spectacular Party

Last month, Team Coco got to live out our princess dreams by attending the truly outrageous annual Life Ball in Vienna. The Life Ball is one of the biggest social events in Vienna’s bustling cultural calendar and takes place each year amidst the breathtaking gothic architecture of the Weiner Rathaus.

Organised by AIDS LIFE, the Vienna Life Ball has been actively raising awareness about HIV and AIDS since 1993. Founded by Gery Kessler and Torgom Petrosian, the Life Ball has become one of the world’s most important AIDS Charity Events and donates its seven-digit proceeds to a number of aids projects all around the world. As Austria’s biggest fundraiser for HIV/AIDS, the Life Ball attracts a flurry of celebrities to its worthy cause each and every year. Some note-worthy appearances this year were Caitlin Jenner, Paris Jackson, Patty LaBelle, and Adrian Brody who all wore the Life+Patch kicking off a year round campaign encouraging everyone to get tested.

To say that the Life Ball was a bit eclectic is probably the biggest understatement of the year. This year’s theme was a strange yet beautiful homage to the Sound of Music, and the Life Ball transformed the breathtaking facade of the Weiner Rathaus into an awe-inspiring Sound of Music Landscape. A set that captured the Alpine beauty of the Salzburg countryside. A bearded Conchita Wurst played the role of Maria Von Trapp, kicking off a wonderfully bonkers show, that was part broadway musical, part anarchic parade, and part red carpet wedding fashion show. All this culminated with AMFAR’S Epic Ride, which brought actors Adrian Brody, Michiel Huisman, Ian Bohen, and Gilles Marini (to name a few) from Zurich to Vienna on classic motorcycles; representing the epic journey that Life+ has fought against HIV AIDS in the last twenty-five years.

To top it all off, Vienna’s local attendees definitely did not disappoint not the style department. A parade of feathered Lederhosen and Dirndl inspired looks, majestic gravity-defying ballgowns, and leather clad attendees all presented a spirit of love, tolerance and acceptance. Once the party really got started after midnight, there was no telling the difference between Hollywood celebrities, and enthusiastic costumed locals with a penchant for DIY. Gay, straight, old, young, Lederhosen or Dirndl – everyone was welcome to celebrate Vienna’s most spectacular evening. After all, the Life Ball is all about fighting the stigma against AIDS so intolerance and discrimination were not welcome to the festivities. And once all the revelries had concluded, and attendees stumbled back to their hotels, (at 5.a.m, probably – who even knows) we can rest assured that we probably witnessed the craziest party of our lives, and hey! It was also for a truly worthy cause.

Hannah Tan-Gillies attended the Vienna Life Ball, in support of HIV AIDS charities held every year in Austria’s capital at the Vienna City Hall; 2019 Life Ball will be end May/beginning June. Tickets for 2019 go on sale early 2019 (www.lifeplus.org/tickets/en) Example prices from 2018 are: €90 – discount for guests in flamboyant costume, guidelines provided; €180 – elegant/themed costume; €559 – international package including flights, accommodation and entry.

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