Los Angeles Travel Magazine presented Best of SoCal Celebrity Cruises onSunday, September 30, 2018 at OUE Skyspace LA, Los Angeles, CA.

It was an afternoon of celebration at Los Angeles Travel Magazine's Best of SoCal Celebrity Cruises event.

Featured live entertainment included Liz Lira Dance Academy & Boutique, Cirque Mirage and D-DUB Entertainment, as well as giveaways, specialty cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Platinum Bartenders, Bubbly and Rosé bar, delicious bites from Yooshi Sushi Catering & Event Production L.A. Paella Catering Paleta Please, The Mochi Ice Cream Company and Alligator Pear Catering along with interactive installations while overlooking the stunning views of Downtown Los Angeles. From nearly 1,000 feet above the city in the iconic US Bank Tower, OUE Skyspace LA is the premier destination for panoramic, 360-degree views. Guests had the option to experience the heart-pounding adventure of the world’s first ever Skyslide. Additional participants included Essentia Water Lounge Party Rentals / Event Furniture for Rent / Lounge Furniture Rentals Alcazark Photography. Wise Eyes Photography Next&Neat – An Elite Event Co. Barks of Love Animal Rescue and of course Celebrity Cruises.

It was an afternoon of celebration at Los Angeles Travel Magazine's Best of SoCal event.

Featured live entertainment included Liz Lira Dance Academy & Boutique, Cirque Mirage and D-DUB Entertainment, as well as giveaways, specialty cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Platinum Bartenders, Bubbly and Rosé bar, delicious bites from Yooshi Sushi Catering & Event Production L.A. Paella Catering Paleta Please, The Mochi Ice Cream Company and Alligator Pear Catering along with interactive installations while overlooking the stunning views of Downtown Los Angeles. From nearly 1,000 feet above the city in the iconic US Bank Tower, OUE Skyspace LA is the premier destination for panoramic, 360-degree views. Guests had the option to experience the heart-pounding adventure of the world’s first ever Skyslide. Additional participants included Essentia Water Lounge Party Rentals / Event Furniture for Rent / Lounge Furniture Rentals Alcazark Photography. Wise Eyes Photography Next&Neat – An Elite Event Co. as well as Barks of Love Animal Rescue.

Catalina Film Festival Wraps 8th Annual Fest with Inaugural Expansion Into Long Beach, Plus Tributes To Honorees Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Hart, Ashanti, Rosie Perez, Ramon Rodriguez And Rob Riggle

Coveted Catalina Film Fest Awards Issued in 14 Categories With 100+ Films in Competition
The 8th annual Catalina Film Festival (CFF) wrapped with awards issued in 14 film categories – selected from 100 films in competition from 67 countries screened at venues throughout the famed Catalina Island as well as new sister-city-by-the-sea, Long Beach. The annual film festival also featured career tributes, as well as industry panels, workshops and Lion's Den pitch session as part of the festival's Film & New Media Summit.
CAREER TRIBUTE AWARDS INCLUDED:
Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award: Academy Award-winning actor and civics activist, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Mr. Holland's Opus), for his work with The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative
Mack Sennett "King of Comedy" Award: Actor and comedian, Kevin Hart (Night School, Ride Along)
Humanitarian Award: Actors, filmmakers and activists, Rosie Perez (White Men Can't Jump; Untamed Heart) and Ramon Rodriguez (The Affair; The Wire), for their work with the film "Pa'lante," to help rebuild Puerto Rico
Avalon Award: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti (Coach Carter; Resident Evil: Extinction) Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti, attends the Catalina Film Festival red carpet on Catalina Island, to receive the festival's coveted Avalon award. Ashanti turned heads on the red carpet wearing a stunning, sheer, silk chiffon gown with high-vent front slits by fashion designer Michael Costello.

Catalina Spotlight Award: Feature film and television actor and comedian, Rob Riggle (Night School, The Hangover, Step Brothers - "The F*&%$#G Catalina Wine Mixer")
Also in attendance were Justine Bateman (Satisfaction, Family Ties) with her short film, Five Minutes; London Brown (HBO's Ballers, The Hustle); Rachel Hendrix (October Baby) with the feature film Virginia Minnesota; Kaitlyn Black (Hart of Dixie); Chris Mulkey (Whiplash) with the feature film, Make Love Great Again; Dana Sparks (Passions); Jim Meskimen (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) with his short film, Son to Son; and Rob Belushi with his short thriller, Dylan.
FESTIVAL AWARDS INCLUDED:
Best of Fest – U.S Feature – Bullitt County
Best of Fest – International Feature Film – Love Possibly
Best of Fest – Documentary Film (Worldwide) – Love Always, Mom
Best of Fest – Conservation Film – Shadow of a Drought: Southern California's
Looming Water Crisis
Best of Fest – Wes Craven Horror/Thriller – My First Time
Festival Treasure Award – Sam Did It
Best of Fest – Screenplay – The Hardest Hit
Best of Fest – International Short Film – Secret Sweets
Best of Fest – US Short Film – An Act of Terror
Best of Fest – High School Student Film – Love Letter
Best of Fest – Advanced Student Film (Worldwide) – Akeda (The Binding)
Best of Fest – Animation Short Film (Worldwide) – Two Balloons
2018 CFF Judges Pick – Make Love Great Again
For a full list of awards, visit www.catalinafilm.org.

Uncover Secret Bars, Private Patios, and To-Die-For Specialty Cocktails at Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor

Stumble Upon the Strongest Spirits at Dark Harbor and Sip on a Green Gummy Bear, Watery Grave, S.O.S. and More
September 27 – November 2
Darkness will once again descend upon the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach for Dark Harbor, Southern California’s most terrifyingly authentic haunt, with six mazes, private patios, and FOUR new captivating secret bars masked in menacing darkness, waiting to be uncovered. Those daring enough will have the opportunity to venture through Dark Harbor in hopes of stumbling upon the demented delights brewing within The SideBar, Door 13, The Line Up, and The Broken Compass. Guests are encouraged to push their curiosity, mingle with monsters, and test their fears in hopes of discovering the strongest spirits at Dark Harbor to sip on the to-die-for new specialty cocktails that only lurk within.
“All throughout Dark Harbor, monsters and crew members will possess a select number of wooden tokens to distribute. These tokens provide a mystifying clue hinting at the location of an access point,” hinted Charity Hill, Executive Producer Dark Harbor. “Everyone is going to want to be in a secret bar. It’s our ultimate bar experience. And this year, one of the secret bars is a place on the ship where people have wanted to gather for years and we’ve never opened it up to Dark Harbor, until now.”
Guests can gather these elusive coins by interacting with chaotic characters, making the ultimate wish at the new Gallows Wishing Well, and by taking control and pulling strings in the Imperium Puppet Theatre. For those select guests who are able to successfully decode the treachery and trickery laid upon them, Dark Harbor’s secret bars will offer their spell binding specialty cocktails that are out of this world. Cocktails include The Pickled Punk - a flavorful whiskey-based shot chased with pickle juice and the Green Gummy Bear - a mixture of watermelon vodka, midori, lime roses juice, a splash of soda and a gummy bear to garnish. For those that are really daring, try the Watery Grave - a spiced rum-based drink mixed with grenadine, coke and lime or the S.O.S. – a Jägermeister, ginger beer and lime juice blend located within Deadrise.

In addition to the new secret bars and specialty cocktails, Dark Harbor hosts additional bars including Crime Scene Alley and Hideaway, The Last Drop, The Barrel Tasting Room, Rusty Nail & Pier and 9-degrees Ice Cave, which will also provide guests with delectable drinks to quench their deadly thirst. For those with more than just a hunger for horror, cabana menus offer tantalizing table service platters with a variety of enticing entrée options. Head to the Mess Hall at Deadrise for a loaded macaroni and cheese cup or work up an appetite for Poison Pizza at Feast. Guests can take a break from the tricks with treats like crepes, iScream malts and shakes, cotton candy martinis, and liquid nitrogen infused kettle corn that will chill guests to the core.
Named one of the top 10 most haunted places on Earth by Time Magazine, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor offers the most authentically frightening experience available. Bringing the true infamous tales of The Queen Mary to life, the annual event begins September 27 and continues through November 2, 2018. General admission ticket prices start at just $20 online, with Fast Fright, Evil Express, VIP, Ultimate Scream, and lodging packages available. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

The 46th Season of Knott’s Scary Farm Brings Frightening New Nightmares to Life Starting September 20th – October 31st

The 46th season Knott’s Scary Farm returned with 14 mazes and haunted attractions and over 1,000 monsters lurking in the fog for 25 terrifying nights. This year, a new and unearthly scare zone is made its sinister arrival to the park, for the first time the lake underneath Silver Bullet revealed the horrors and creatures it kept hidden, until now. Forsaken Lake unleashed gothic creatures, which have been ravaged by the dark and murky waters, as they wander their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.
At Knott’s Scary Farm, the park is the attraction and this year it featured several new upgrades like, freshly new themed landscaping, enhanced ride lighting, HangTime debuted it’s never-before-seen Halloween inspired lighting scheme plus, there are selected rollercoasters in the dark and newly enhanced park décor.
Ghost Town Streets, Carnevil and The Hollow scare zones returned to terrorize guests every night of Knott’s Scary Farm. The monsters that live within these streets covering every inch of the park midways, leaving nowhere to hide.
There is a new dance party at Fiesta Village which featured rhythmic music, performances by a live DJ throughout the night, dancing and sugar skull go-go dancers with Awaken the Dead.
Highlights from the Opening Night and Chef's Specialties:

The hip and trendy SUR in West Hollywood has launched a new weekend brunch menu.

For over a decade, SUR has reigned supreme on Robertson as the hottest spot in West Hollywood. Lisa Vanderpump’s Sexy Unique Restaurant has since skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the owner’s appearance on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and then it’s own spin-off “Vanderpump Rules.” Up until recently, you had to wait until the evening hours to visit SUR but now you can get your Brunch appetite on during the weekend.

 A special brunch was held on Saturday, September 15th in the relaxing and beautiful outdoor lounge Area. Hosted by husband and wife team Guillermo and Natalie Zapata. The menu was prepared by Chef Joe Martinez which includes: Frittata and Vegetable Omelets, Linguini Primavera, Blue Cheeseburger and Vegan Burger, Italian Chicken Milanese and Crispy French Toast which can be paired with various drinks such as Mimosa’s, Parisian Pear Martini, Bloody Mary and the Homemade White Sangria.

I choose the Ahi Tuna Tartar for an Appetizer and the Vegetarian Omelet for the main course and the Blackberry Cobbler (to die for) for dessert paired with the SUR Mimosa and the Strawberry Gimlet. It was delicious and all the portion are big so if you order anything from the Brunch menu come with a big appetite.

SUR Restaurant is located at:
612 N.Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
310-289-2824
www.surrestaurant.com
Open 7 days a week for dinner
Brunch-Saturday/Sunday 11 am to 3 pm
Happy Hour-5 to 7 pm weekdays