Now You Know where to spend the brutal hours between 6-10, not on the road but with me at  the Hotel Palomar, a new hotel owned by the San Franciscan hotel group Kimpton. Its an eco-hotel in the Beverly Hills area. Its great. They’re doing fun things; have good people working at the hotel.

I like it here. I know one of the bellman from the Tribeca Grand New York days, which makes it feel family, and the whole San Fran connection lends a really relaxed but pro approach to everything. Unlike a few of the hotels I’ve worked for in LA who are really uptight, service is so so, and managers complain about me wearing g-string, 90’s work-out gear to my gigs… excuse me?

I’m not really rocking the g-string at this hotel, but there are many other attractions ; ) to come out for. Its a pet friendly hotel so on Wednesdays between 4-7 is a pooch cocktail hour. You can bring your dog in, get a drink, and some free pet goodies from vendors at the cocktail.

The restaurant is great. Really good food, a VERY well done wine list and GM Michael can point you to some amazing wines not to mention some pretty good small production liquors, and a lot of the cocktails are sprigged with herbs from the hotel’s rooftop garden.

So needless to say, I’m very happy to be playing tunes at such a great place. Come and check it out. I’m sure Michael will hook up a free drink.

Six to 10 Wednesdays
10740 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024-4493
(310) 475-8711

We went out to Palm Springs for the Blackdisco / Canyons / DFA / Generic Surplus Party. I ended-up playing a few tunes.

it was funny to drive out to the desert with your family so you could go to a gay, hotel party. We got out of the car and walking into a steamy bath of Bears and boys like Louis who introduced me to his friend Louis. But it worked and everybody welcomed the wacky family that just rolled in. In the true disco tradition, the freaks recognize the freaks and there is love in the unity.

At the end of his set, the gentleman, I think from San Fran with sandy blonde hair played the Loft Classic, “I’ll Always Love my Momma,” in our honor. Very Sweet.

The air was dry and brilliant stars set in at night. It was the Brat Pack that established Palm Springs we’re told, and its weird… one part of you thinks, how could anyone vacation in this heat and your communal consciousness plagues you… how can the grass be this green in the desert!!! but at the same time you get it and you’re right at the base of this crazy mountain and its beautiful.

The thrifting is pretty great too.

Anywho. It was a great time. Good ol’ family fun time. Thanks to Kevin aka Nite Dog and the Ace Hotel for making it happen.

This information came my way from Mr. Rey Parla. If you consider yourself into art you should support this.

Simply stated, its a bill up that would allow artists to make a tax deduction for works donated to nonprofit institutions.

Kind of beside the point, but good to know… as it is now collectors may take a deduction for the works, but creators can only deduct their “basis” value i.e., the cost of materials used to make the art. LAME!

It only takes a second. They’ve done the work for you here:

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/

But go ahead and take two seconds, make it personal.

The Todo Azul kids, stoked, as it were.

Here’s the stance I took:

Dear Representative Harman,

It has come to my attention that there is a very important bill purposed called the “Artist Deduction Bill” HR 1126, offered by Reps. John Lewis and Todd Platts.

I am currently involved in supporting a family owned surf hotel in El Salvador who’s made it their objective to boost the local children’s schooling, support individuals’ medical needs and educate the community in nutrition. This is only the beginning.

I am creating a program of exchange with a few of today’s popular and collected artists to the benefit this small Salvadorian community.  The formula is as follows: the artists donate their time and works to the hotel, their involvement generates the right press attracting more visitors, which in turn lends money to nourish these families in need.

Hotel Todo Azul’s first toy drive. That’s Lissette The hotel owner smiling at you

If these artists knew that the government was willing to support their efforts to give, I believe we could run a much more successful program.

The “customizable” letter provided by http://capwiz.com/ mentions museums, libraries and educational institutions that lack funds to acquire works of art and rely on donations. This thinking regards art only as an product that we must keep in stock for edifying purposes.

Art however, can reach so much further than these houses. Art is generally made by people who are natural samaritans. If their hearts have not been closed by economic hardship, and with a little support, the good in those who create today’s art can benefit communities in ways that can only be realized on these smaller, local levels such as in the case of the little surf hotel in El Salvador, Hotel Todo Azul.

Lissette tells me this kid is a local legend

Please carefully consider how your support of this bill will work on these minute levels. Your support will improve the lives of those who are poised to help others.

Without incentive to give their works to nonprofit institutions, artists generally sell them to private collectors at the public’s loss. This bipartisan legislation would simply allow artists to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions.

I urge you to co-sponsor this important legislation, and I thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Princess Christine Renee Czetwertynski

(That’s right. I used the Princess title.)

Sunset at Todo Azul: El Salvador

]]> http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/do-your-part/feed/ 0 christinerenee The Kids at Hotel Todo Azul kids_toys kid_surf family_sunset http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/kate-duyn/ http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/kate-duyn/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:59:49 +0000 christinerenee http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/kate-duyn/ ]]>

Kate Duyn, originally uploaded by ChristineRenee.net.

My girl friend Kate. She was just written up in San Fran’s Mission Local For her Midnight Yoga Classes. She’s amazing. We’ve asked her to hold a workshop at the Surf Hotel in the not so distant future.

Duyn started teaching midnight yoga at the New York City location of Laughing Lotus. The owners eventually approached her with plans to open a San Francisco branch.

“They said, ‘Do you want to be the midnight yoga chick in San Francisco?’ I said, ‘Totals,”’ Duyn recalled.

the article

back, originally uploaded by ChristineRenee.net.

]]> http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/back/feed/ 0 christinerenee http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/front/ http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/front/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:38:37 +0000 christinerenee http://christinerenee.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/front/ ]]>

front, originally uploaded by ChristineRenee.net.

El Salvador via www.whitewallssf.com/gallery.php?artist_id=current

Pregnant DJ Christine Renee, originally uploaded by Corporate Vampire.

JULY 19th we kick it off for the rest of Summer ‘08.

BBQ, good music, good people, and plenty of sunshine.
Details coming. More Pics Here