Fun is good.
~Dr. Seuss
My friend, Julia, works in production. T.V. production, to be more specific. This last year year, she worked on the first season of Dennis Quaid's show, Vegas. At the end of the season, they had a wrap party and she invited me to go with her.
The show isn't shot right in Hollywood. It's out near Six Flags, in Santa Clarita. Maybe a half hour from Hollywood, with no traffic. (haha!) Anyway, the show takes place in 1960s Vegas, and the party was in the "1960s" casino set. Right outside of the casino set, is where they shoot the old "Vegas Strip." The best part of that, was the old vintage cars. You'll see I got a little obsessed with that!
They did an amazing job with the set, and because it was a party, and they weren't shooting ... the bar was stocked with actual alcohol.
When we got there, the hot hors d'oeuvres hadn't come out yet, so Julia and I planted ourselves in front of the cheese platters.
I won't tell you how much cheese I ate, but let's just say, I got a little carried away.
Julia in her fabulous Trina Turk dress.
Julia introduced me to a lot of really nice people, that worked on the show, including Dennis Quaid, who was very friendly and funny. He chatted up Julia and I for a few minutes, before taking the stage, with his band.
I didn't say much. I left the talking to the two of them. (I was having flashbacks of The Big Easy and found myself a little worried about what would come out of my mouth, so I mostly just nodded and smiled.) He is still one sexy man. Just saying.
Below, Dennis Quaid on keyboards and Michael Chiklis on drums.
Dennis Quaid, back on guitar. He made is way through the crowd, at one point, and I got bonked on my backside with the guitar. I laughingly told Julia I was going to tell everyone I had a bruise on my bum, from Dennis Quaid, but not tell how I got it. ;)
Really fun music, and they even played Great Balls of Fire. (Remember, he did that movie!?)
The first of many shots, with vintage cars ...
When I don't know what to wear to something, I go vintage, wear black, or both. I think the red coat is from the 1960s, and the black chiffon dress, late 50s/early 60s? I think I mentioned this little number, in a previous post.
My friend, Evelyn, bought the dress for me, 20 years ago, when I first moved to L.A. And, I can still get into it! Although, I must admit, it was getting pretty snug, around the waist, after the flirty bird, with the appetizer plates, kept coming around and putting the tray in front of my face.
No idea how much I ate, but I can put away quite a bit of fried goat cheese pastries, when I want to.
LOVED these cars! Reminded me of the '63 Falcon, I used to have. Think I took a dozen pics with different cars! I was beside myself!
Sigh ...
This guy, Berek, was the coolest. So nice, and his wife was a doll. I think he's a grip.
I know, I was a total poser ... couldn't stop hamming it up on the groovy set either.
As you can see, from the photo below, Julia and I were, almost the last ones out the door!
How great does the set look? Julia told me to be careful not to lean too hard on things ... it's a still a set. In fact, those spiral stairs? They go nowhere. Welcome to Hollywood!
Groovy "stairs to nowhere."
I look a little dazed, (below) and ready for a cappuccino, back at Julia's. After all that, I think it was only 11:30!
It was a really fun night and we even did a little dancing, at the end of the party, after most people had left. I can get pretty lazy about going out, but I am so glad I did. One of the most fun things about the night, other than dancing, was taking pictures and posting them on Instagram. I know, I'm a nerd. Anyway, thanks Jules, for a fun night!
To give credit where credit is due, Production Design on Vegas was by Carey Meyer, the Series Art Direction was by Colin De Rouin and Set Decoration by Barbara Cassel. For a complete list of other people who worked on the show Vegas, click here.
And for a little 80s flashback ... This movie came out in 1987, when my parents were living in Cajun Country, so it holds an extra special place in my heart! :) Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin are adorable and have amazing chemistry together. There is a mystery storyline, as well, and it all takes place in New Orleans!
There is still a lot more of Italy to come, on the blog! This party was such a rarity, though, I thought the images would be fun to share!
Hope you're all having a great weekend!
"I never lose sight of the fact the
just being
is fun."
~Katharine Hepburn
