Boo! It’s Halfway to Halloween – Monsters, Mysteries, and Mother’s Day!

Think Halloween is just for October? Think again! Pull back the curtain on a spooktacular halfway-to-Halloween festival where the thrills of autumn collide with the warmth of spring. From the shadows of haunted mazes to the spectacles of ghostly parades, find out how your favorite haunts are keeping the spirit alive long before the leaves fall. It’s a hauntingly good time, no pumpkin spice required!

This week’s event list was too long! For the full list including all the Mother’s Day events, visit the episode page.

Your host for In Conversation With Nick Pagliochini, sits down with BT McNicholl, Producing Artistic Director at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, to get to know more about this stellar, award-winning regional theatre.

To learn more about the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, please visit: https://lamiradatheatre.com/

Your host for In Conversation With Nick Pagliochini, sits down with BT McNicholl, Producing Artistic Director at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, to get to know him better and his incredible background as well as personal and professional experience that he brings to this stellar, award-winning regional theatre.

To learn more about the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, please visit: https://lamiradatheatre.com/

May the Festivities Be With You: Jokes, Jedis, and Joyous Fiestas!

Guest: Jessica Patay

In part two of our conversation with guest Jessica Patay, co-founder of We Are Brave Together, the focus shifts to the organization’s development and the personal journey of its members. Jessica shares her experiences in managing the daily challenges associated with her son Ryan’s Prader-Willi syndrome, particularly his never-ending hunger which necessitates a locked kitchen to control food access.

Jessica explains the origins of We Are Brave Together, which was founded in 2017. The organization has since grown to support nearly 2,600 mothers globally, proving the need for a strong support network for caregivers of children with various diagnoses.

The episode also previews a significant upcoming event for the community, the launch of the anthology “Becoming Brave Together.” This book compiles 21 stories from different caregivers, aiming to validate and enrich the reader’s understanding of the caregiving experience through a tapestry of personal narratives.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences, which Jessica identifies as crucial in providing support and strength to caregivers. This part of the podcast builds on themes from part one, diving deeper into the triumphs and challenges faced by those within the We Are Brave Together network.

Tinseltown Abounds: Egyptians, Streets, Tamales, and One Big Splash!

Get ready for a whirlwind of fun in this episode jam-packed with events to tickle your fancy. Foodies, rejoice! There’s Pizza City Fest with its cheesy goodness, the 11th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival, and even a Walk with the Animals event to benefit pet adoption. Feeling artsy? Willy’s Chocolate Experience LA promises a world of pure imagination in a very, very different way, and Puppet Up!’s hilarious marionette shows are sure to leave you in stitches.

Looking for a cinematic adventure? The TCM Classic Films Tour on the Warner Bros. Studio lot takes you behind the scenes of Hollywood magic, and don’t forget the Egyptian Theatre’s historic charm. Music lovers have a treat with Deadmau5’s electrifying performance at the Hollywood Bowl, and cinephiles can catch the entire season with Street Food Cinema’s mouthwatering movie nights. And if you’re feeling a Pixar punch, The Disneyland Resorts’s Pixar Fest is the perfect dose of animation magic! So grab your friends and family, there’s something for everyone in and around the Southland this weekend!

Guest: Jessica Patay

In part one of this week’s “In Conversation” interview, we sit down with Jessica Patay as she tells us about her upbringing and the profound experiences that inspired her to create the powerful non-profit We Are Brave Together. We Are Brave Together aims to support, empower, and provide resources for mothers who are caregivers to children with disabilities, diagnoses, or mental health struggles.

Jessica opens up about being raised in a large, blended family in Southern California. She recalls lively memories like being on the high school drill team and emphasizes how her tight-knit friend group provided invaluable stability and joy amid the chaotic family dynamics. Despite a non-traditional childhood, Jessica’s strong bonds gave her a deep well of love and support. Those formative relationships cultivated Jessica’s appreciation for community - something that became vital when her son Ryan was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome as an infant. Her experiences navigating Ryan’s needs ultimately inspired her to found We Are Brave Together in 2017 to uplift and empower other caregiving moms.

Our candid discussion lays the groundwork for part two, where we’ll explore Jessica’s mission and the vital work of We Are Brave Together in more detail.

Fasten Your Bookmarks - It’s a Lit, Grit and Puppet-Filled Ride

This jam-packed weekend is a literary lover’s delight mixed with adrenaline-pumping motorsports and Earth Day eco-adventures. From the LA Times Festival of Books to the thunderous Acura Grand Prix races to the whimsical 10th annual Bob Baker Marionette celebration, there’s something for every reader, rev-head and puppet fan!

(Full show notes coming soon)

Featured Guest: Diane Challis Davy

Diane Challis Davy is a true Laguna Beach local. She graduated from Laguna Beach High School and studied set and costume design with a scholarship from the Festival of Arts in Laguna. Her love for art and performance led her to the Pageant of the Masters in 1980, where she started working in the costume department.

Davy’s talent and dedication were quickly recognized. She was promoted to Assistant Pageant Director and won the Art Star Artist of the Year Award in 2008. Today, she’s the Director of the Pageant of the Masters, breathing new life into this beloved Laguna Beach tradition year after year.

The Pageant of the Masters, presented by the Festival of the Arts, is a unique event that brings famous paintings to life – no, literally, really…to life! Every year, the pageant features a new theme and showcases talented actors, artists, and technicians who recreate iconic artworks on stage. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Laguna Beach!

To learn more about the Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters, and to get tickets to this incredible and dynamic event, please visit https://www.foapom.com/

Unleash Your Imagination! Stars, Science, and a Symphony of Bugs!

Southern California is turning up the volume this weekend! Calling all TV fanatics - PaleyFest LA brings your favorite stars to the Dolby Theatre for interviews and show discussions (think Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon!). Need a cinematic adventure? The Academy Museum’s “In the Midnight Hour” series throws a cult classic film fest, featuring outrageous flicks like Rocky Horror.

Music lovers rejoice! Goldenvoice Presents April explodes with concerts across LA, with artists like Blur, Hatsune Miku, and Taking Back Sunday taking the stage. Craving something more intimate? Catch “Lemur Mom,” a hilarious one-woman show about raising a child with autism. And of course, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicks off this weekend! Weekend 1 is sold out, but snag passes for weekend 2 and experience the brand-new Quasar stage.

Last Call and Free 99 features a few unique twists. Imaginology at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, the Blacklight Bug Fest in Riverside, or if you prefer your garden related activities in the day light hours, check out Gardenfest in San Clemente. That’s just a few things to wet your whistle! Get out there this weekend, explore, and report back to Nick Pagliochini about it!