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2 days ago
- General
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Karen Read's Defense Underway in Massachusetts Retrial Riveting the Nation
Karen Read's Defense Underway in Massachusetts Retrial Riveting the Nation originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Before presenting his first witness, Los Angeles defense attorney Alan Jackson argued to the judge overseeing his client Karen Read's retrial that the case should be thrown out of court because "there was no collision." Read, 45, a former adjunct professor at a Massachusetts university, has been on trial for six weeks in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, whose body was found in a snowbank on Jan. 29, 2022. Prosecutors say she backed into him during a blinding blizzard after a night of drinking, but her defense team insists O'Keefe died during an altercation with fellow law enforcement officers who were inside the house at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, the address where O'Keefe's remains were recovered. Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. 'The Commonwealth has simply not proven, even in a light most favorable to them, that there was a collision on January 29th, 2022, at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts,' Jackson argued in his required finding for not guilty motion.'There was no collision proven to have occurred. There was no eyewitness presented. There was no video evidence, no audio evidence, and no evidence in the form of physical evidence at the scene by searches that were done by officers on the morning of January 29, 2022,' Jackson argued. 'The Commonwealth, through suspect experts based on circumstantial technical data, only sought to prove a backing event. And that's important. They sought to prove that at 34 Fairview, the SUV went backward. They did not prove. And every single one of their experts was asked this question. They did not prove that there was actually a collision associated with that backing event."The judge denied Jackson's motion, and the defense called its first witness to mark the 24th day of testimony in the controversial case, Matthew DiSogra, an engineer who specializes in accident analysis. He began his testimony by casting doubt on the timeline laid out by one of the prosecution's key witnesses, forensic scientist Shanon Burgess, who had to admit from the witness stand that his resume misstated his credentials. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
- Business
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Lucie Arnaz Returns to the Lot Her Parents Built—This Time to Help a Fan Finish His Film
Lucie Arnaz Returns to the Lot Her Parents Built—This Time to Help a Fan Finish His Film originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Raji Ahsan proves it's always great to meet your heroes. Perhaps your childhood obsession was Barbie or board games, but for young Ahsan growing up in Orange County in the 90s, it was Desilu Studios, the long-gone TV production company founded by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The filmmaker is partnering with Lucy and Desi's daughter Lucie Arnaz for 'Lucie on the Lot' a fundraising event to complete his new film Dr. Sam at the old family studio on June 5. After completing their iconic series, I Love Lucy, Desilu produced shows like Star Trek, Mission: Impossible and Mannix from the old RKO Studios (now Paramount) at the corner of Melrose and Gower in Hollywood. Lucy sold her shares in the company to Paramount decades before Raji was born. 'I'm a Desilu nut,' Ahsan says. 'Right after 9/11 they stopped giving studio tours. When I was 12 I had a school assignment to write a persuasive essay and my teacher said you should mail it to the studio so I did…and I put in my tiny little headshot.' Two weeks later he dialed up the studio and a friendly page told him he was moved by the letter and offered a private tour. 'My mom lived in a shelter and she cleaned houses to keep us fed,' Ahsan remembers. 'When she was home, we'd watch I Love Lucy. It was my comfort.' Ahsan grew up to become an actor and a waiter – the classic Hollywood combo. Through mutual friends, he met Emmy-winning actress Lucie Arnaz and a friendship was born. 'He had a podcast and asked me to be a guest,' says Arnaz. 'He's really smart and funny and full of ideas. I instinctively took him under my wing and wanted to help him. He's a powerhouse. You've gotta be like that to get anything done in this world.' Ahsan wrote the short film Dr. Sam about a struggling actor, musician and waiter who masquerades as a therapist and offered a part to his hero Arnaz. 'He said he'd like me to play his mom,' she says. 'I so do not look Egyptian, so in the movie he's adopted.' Lucie and her brother Desi Jr. spent part of their childhood exploring the historic Hollywood lot that today is part of Paramount. 'We would be let loose in some wonderful big empty stages,' Armaz remembers. 'It was so fun to go through the prop room at RKO and play with a life size King Kong and all the wonderful costumes and amazing props from all the films they had done. It was a kid's paradise.' Today, Arnaz lives in Palm Springs, where she writes and produces new shows and oversees the merchandise end of the family business with her daughter. Her brother Desi is retired, and jokingly calls himself a 'self-imposed recluse.' Arnaz will be performing standards live in concert at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on June 27-28 and opening the new season of the Purple Room in Palm Springs August 29 and 30. The 'Lucie on the Lot' event on June 5 will screen Arnaz's award-winning film Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie on the big screen at the Paramount Theater. There will be a celebration of the 75th anniversary of Desilu, photo ops in front of the famous Bronson gate you remember from Sunset Boulevard and a chance to chat up the filmmakers. Proceeds will be split between finishing up Ahsan's film and the Long Beach shelter his mom landed in when the family immigrated to L.A. 'I wanted to live on the lot,' Ahsan says. 'The fact that Lucie is coming to this place I wrote a letter to when I was 12 is full circle.' This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
- Entertainment
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Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Spices Up the Rooftop With La Ola
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles Spices Up the Rooftop With La Ola originally appeared on L.A. Mag. For years, the poolside rooftop on the fourth floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills housed a breezy lunchtime spot, Cabana — until two years ago, when Matthew Kenney debuted his ephemeral Plant Food + Wine executive chef Jesus Medina (who pioneered the dining concepts at Four Seasons Westlake Village before joining the Beverly Hills team) is injecting some of his personal Mexican heritage into the fourth-flour dining spot with La Ola, a lively new eatery that will be open starting today for lunch, golden hour and dinner daily. La Ola (Spanish for "the wave") is his take on Coastal Mexican — and it comes complete with a vibrant new design in natural textures and beachy tones, alongside new cabanas, umbrellas and chaises."I'm very excited to introduce this concept — Coastal Mexican is deeply in my heart, it's my rich culture, so I can express myself," said Medina at a preview event. "And it's an amazing journey for Four Seasons, as we're [the Four Seasons'] only Mexican concept in the U.S." Guests can enjoy signature guacamole, ceviches, shrimp aguachile, octopus chicharrón and tacos, or opt for heartier entrees like the catch of the day, carne asada and grilled prawns — all served with elegant presentation. Sip house margaritas garnished with sea asparagus, or seasonal paleta cocktails with herbs and mezcal — and mini slushie welcome shots. Desserts include platano macho with a burst of cotja snow and a sweet taco de elote with amarth and blueberries. The fiesta continues all summer with a weekly seafood market-style experience (Mercado Mariscos), tarot and tequila nights, live DJ sets, mariachi performances, ceviche tastings and mixology pop-ups — plus "surprise and delight" moments on weekends, which will include a medley of Mexican treats for poolgoers (Tajín-dusted melons, paletas and Mexican-inspired ice creams). Added Medina: "I want for you all to raise a glass, and we're all going to say this in Spanish, and we all know this: Salud!" For more information or to make a reservation, click here or call 310-273-2222. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
- Entertainment
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Celebrated Angeleno Artist Greg Ito Unveils Short Film in Homage to Kikori Rice Whiskey
Celebrated Angeleno Artist Greg Ito Unveils Short Film in Homage to Kikori Rice Whiskey originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Fresh off a starring role at Frieze L.A., Angeleno native Greg Ito unveiled his latest art installation Wednesday night: a short film that pays homage to his grandmother and the nature that inspired the female-owned spirit brand Kikori Rice Whiskey. The event, held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, featured installations created by Ito and Japanese-inspired cocktails sponsored by Kikori Rice Whiskey, which was founded by Korean-American Ann Soh Woods, whose childhood adventures in Japan inspired her brand. The film is centered on following a lantern carried by Kikori's Woodsman logo as it travels through the mountainous forests of Kumamoto, where the whiskey is distilled, along with volcanic lava symbolizing the region's rich soil in which the rice used to make the spirit grows, and delicate cherry blossoms - part of the nature that inspired Woods to open her company in 2015. Now as one of the only Asian American women in the liquor industry, Woods is also expanding her reach and brand into the art community. As part of that, and to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, she collaborated with Ito, she says, to "explore heritage, resilience, and the spirit of craft through a new short film inspired by Kikori's roots in Japan. Kikori is proud to support creative voices like Greg's and champion stories that celebrate culture with heart and purpose."Ito's wife and young daughter were in attendance at the event. The little girl's favorite rocks were part of her daddy's installation. As the evening came to a close, Woods made the announcement that Kikori had made a $10,000 donation to the JACCC a vital donation that will fund their ikebana program, as well as other creative workshops. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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L.A. Pride Events Guide 2025
L.A. Pride Events Guide 2025 originally appeared on L.A. Mag. Pride Month is here and the calendar is packed with festivities to celebrate and elevate the queer community. From parties and parades to concerts and community-driven experiences, Los Angeles always goes all out in the spirit of equality and love. Despite some reported sponsorship cuts, this year is no exception. Check back here each week for updates as the month progresses for more events, club nights and activities. WEHO PRIDEMAY 22 - JUNE 30One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, WeHo Pride returns with a full weekend of community events, parties and parades May 30 - June 1. From the Dyke March and Women's Freedom Festival to the massive WeHo Pride Parade and Street Fair, Santa Monica Boulevard will be bursting with color. WeHo's 40-day celebration kicks off May 22 — Harvey Milk Day — and continues throughout the month. For Sunday's parade, model and actress Cara Delevingne, actress and filmmaker Nava Mau, Love on the Spectrum star Pari Kim, and former NFL player Chris Kluwe serve as 2025 WeHo Pride Parade Icons. FESTIVALMAY 30 - JUNE 1As WeHo Pride's signature music event, Outloud takes over West HollywoodPark with an all-star lineup. This year's headliners include Maren Morris (at Friday's free event), Lizzo, Remi Wolf, Kim Petras, Honey Dijon and Paris Hilton— plus DJ sets, surprise guests, the Summertramp splashy bash and enough glitter to power the Sunset Strip. THE PIRATE PARTYMAY 30Ahoy, queer sailors! Dusti Cunningham and Jeff Rasul invite you to The Pirate Party at The Virgil—a raunchy, seafaring soirée with naughty pirate gogos, DJ Sindri spinning deep sea shanties, and an open call for stripping down to your skivvies. Shake yer booty and cruise for treasure (or trouble). PRIDEJUNE 5-22Santa Monica's monthlong celebration includes art installations, pop-ups and community events across the Promenade and beyond. It all leads up to Pride on the Pier (June 22), a free oceanfront bash with DJs, fireworks and fun for all ages. CCA'S CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ CINEMA & TELEVISIONJUNE 6The Critics Choice Association's second annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television will take place at the Fairmont Century Plaza. Sherry Cola will host the festivities, which will honor over 20 creatives from the entertainment world and stream on HereTV in June. VENICE PRIDEJUNE 7Since 2016, the coastal community's celebration of its LGBTQ community has been one of the most joyful events of the year, leading to the iconic Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower and higher visibility for queer culture in L.A. This year, the big block party and 'Gaywatch' gathering returns with music and revelry. PRIDE PARADEJUNE 8LA Pride celebrates its 55th annual LA Pride Parade on Hollywood Boulevard, between and including Highland Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard. More than 100,000 spectators and participants are expected for an epic celebration, followed by the official after-party at the LA Pride Village. LA PRIDE VILLAGEJUNE 8Adjacent to the parade route is the LA Pride Village, where the day's celebrations will continue with a music stage, community stage, two full-service bars, sponsor activations and giveaways, as well as more than 80 vendors and exhibitors and dozens of food trucks and stalls. The street festival is free and open to all. OPENINGSJUNE 10, 17The Getty goes all in on Pride with two major exhibitions: $3 Bill: Evidence of Queer Lives (June 10 - Sept. 28) and Queer Lens: A History of Photography (June 17- Sept. 28). Check the calendar for free discussions and film screenings, and shop the Pride Pop-up starting June 3. PRIDE NIGHT AT DODGER STADIUMJUNE 13A grand slam celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride, the Dodgers' annual Pride Night features a rainbow-packed pregame, special guests and a custom Dodgers Pride jersey with select ticket packages. AFTER DARK: PRIDE NITEJUNE 18, 20Celebrate Pride with Mickey and the gang during two exclusive nights at Disneyland. Expect after-dark parades, themed food, rainbow photo ops and late-night rides. General admission tickets are $169 per guest. Tickets to the event include admission as early as 6 p.m. until the park closes at 1 a.m. GAY MENS CHORUS OF LA'S JUNE 21-22The popular 200-member chorus performs dance anthems and musical numbers from iconic musicals including Singin' in the Rain, Hairspray, and The Producers, plus hits from Lady Gaga, Luther Vandross, ABBA, Earth Wind and Fire and Donna Summer. PRIDEJUNE 28The San Fernando Valley turns up for Pride with a local celebration spotlighting queer talent, small businesses and community pride in the 818. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
