Hollywood Boulevard | All That Glitters

While on my way to the office a few days ago, Lady Gaga and her mantra to “Just Dance” came into rotation on my iPod while cruising down the 405 freeway, moon roof open, enjoying the L.A. sunshine. Instantly, it took me back to Friday nights circa 2007-2009.

I was in my mid-twenties, single, going out with the girls to dance, dance, dance the night away! While it certainly wasn’t every Friday night that I ventured from the west side into Hollywoodland, there was a time when this was how I kicked-off my weekends. There was something about dressing up, having a cocktail, and checking out the hot spots with friends that I just didn’t want to miss out on. I knew it was a time in my life that I should take advantage of and experience it as best as I could (even when I’d rather stay in with take-out and watch a movie) because I knew the older I got – the more things would change. I consider myself a social drinker (I’m too nerdy to be a party girl) so I would only have a drink or two max because that wasn’t my agenda for being out. It was to be around the music, check out the scene, and enjoy being young in one of the greatest cities in the world.

I have fond memories of the first Hollywood club I ever went to, Vanguard on Hollywood Boulevard. Subsequently, I remember the times I visited Ritual that later turned into Halo (that is now called something else), Green Door, and The Highlands among others. Some nights the music was on point and everyone was having a good time, other nights the music was terrible and I wanted to go home but refused to because I had already paid $20 for parking! 🙂

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{During this period, I also went to Vegas a couple of times for a long weekend or to The O.C. on Saturday nights to hang out with friends there occasionally. I came across this Vegas photo taken at TAO.}

Since then, those nights are far and few in between. I’m still young, don’t have any children or huge responsibilities outside myself, and sometimes I do miss these types of girls night out to blow-off some steam; and mostly, because I L.O.V.E. to dance. Of course, I meet-up with friends for a drink or for dinner, but it’s been some time since I’ve hit Hollywood or Cahuenga Boulevard in search of some fun on a Friday night.

There are certain songs that take you back in time the moment you hear them again after it’s been awhile. For me, hearing that song took me back to a particular night where 4 L.A. girls hit 3 clubs in one night trying to find the right place to “Just Dance.”

In honor of those nights, I’ve curated a short playlist of 12 songs that was the soundtrack of several Friday nights. Where does the time go? Enjoy!

{If you dig it, subscribe to this Spotify playlist here: All That Glitters Mixtape Monday: 03.25.2013}

“You won’t make it. You should have left sooner. Just go home, get into your sweats, and veg in front of the TV. Ooh, maybe I can order in tonight. Thai? Boo, traffic sucks!”

“No, this is a great opportunity. Yeah, you should have left sooner, but take a risk and see what happens.You might surprise yourself. Boo, traffic really sucks tonight!”

I had this internal dialogue back and forth in my head the entire time I sat in traffic on Sunset Boulevard fighting to get to Grauman’s Chinese Theater last Thursday. I had gotten passes to the world premiere red carpet screening for Sparkle. The passes simply meant that I had a chance to get in to see the film, but it was on a first-come, first-serve basis. While I’ve never been turned away from a screening, in this case, it wouldn’t have surprised me. I’d seen various outlets promoting the passes and the fact that the film featured the last performance from one of the greatest singers that ever lived, I knew would draw an even larger crowd.

50 minutes later, I arrived at the corner of Franklin and Orange and knew deep down that there was likely no way I was going to get in. The line had already wrapped around the corner but I thought, “I’m already here, it’s a 1,000 seat theater, why not get in line and see what happens?”

As I parked and made the nearly ten minute trek just to get to the line due to sidewalk closures, Hollywood Boulevard was bursting alive with activity around me. The red carpet was out, photographers everywhere, and onlookers stood across the street watching as celebs made their way down the press line and into the theater. Let’s not forget that this part of town is typically busy without a Hollywood premiere, and the summer season draws tourists by the masses. Needless to say, it was more than crowded. It was a zoo!

Meanwhile, I was still having the “go home, no wait and see” conversation in my head as I stood in line telling myself “I’ll give it 30 minutes max then I’ll head upstairs and see what’s playing at the Chinese 6 instead.” Yet somehow, I got into mingling with a few of the other hopefuls as we waited in line. On top of that, you couldn’t ask for a better place to stand-back and people watch (a fun secret pastime of mine…shhhh). It’s then that the world becomes a larger place, full of different styles, cultures, looks, good fashion choices and plenty of bad fashion choices. Simply stopping and taking the time to look around you, to chat with a complete stranger and hear some of their stories can be so invigorating and was the best part of the experience.

An hour or so later we had heard that the theater was at capacity and that we wouldn’t make it in. I eventually found out that this was the case for those who arrived much earlier than I did. I wasn’t disappointed because I knew how it worked and was grateful for taking the time to immerse myself in the risk because it still turned out to be fun. I also wouldn’t have any “what ifs?”

I did walk upstairs to the Chinese 6 Theaters at Hollywood and Highland, but I’d either already seen the film or didn’t have an interest in it (“Brave 3D is still out?”) so I headed home.

As they say, “one monkey don’t stop the show.” Enter the beauty of the Arclight.

I took myself to see the movie Tuesday night, in my comfy pants, popcorn in hand, soda in cup-holder, and enjoyed every single frame!

Of all of the celebrity deaths in recent years, Whitney Houston’s was the biggest shock to me personally (Michael Jackson a close second). It was because the last time I saw her, she was sitting on stage with Oprah looking as if she’d really turned it around and was headed toward true freedom. In the end, we’re all human. I think we forget that sometimes because someone is projected onto a big screen in front of you, making millions of dollars. We all have our opinions of how someone should be or shouldn’t be, but I choose to remember Whitney Houston as the beautiful woman I used to imitate singing in the shower or with a brush in front of the mirror. What a great way to leave this life and into the next in Sparkle.