LA Pride 2013

LA Pride in West Hollywood is the largest annual LGBT gathering in Southern California. Held over a long weekend every year in June, the event features a festival with live entertainment on multiple stages, dozens of parties at WeHo venues, and a colorful parade. The festival itself is based in West Hollywood Park, with the parade taking to West Hollywood’s streets on the last day of festivities. Organizers expect about a half-million revelers during the weekend.

Promoting human rights, education, outreach, and a better understanding within the non-LGBT community, LA Pride has been going strong since its first parade was held in Hollywood in 1970. The celebration moved to West Hollywood in 1979.

This event is June 7 thur 9th and  admission to the 2013 LA Pride festival in West Hollywood Park is $20 (good for either Saturday or Sunday entry, but not both days). The cost for seniors, disabled persons, and veterans is $12. Entrance to the park is free for active military members and children under 12. The parade, held Sunday, is free for all to attend.

Don’t miss out on one of Los Angeles’ biggest parties of the year. Get your 2013 LA Pride tickets today! http://bit.ly/14Kks9e

Make it a Weekend

Ignite your own memorable moments, discover top gay destinations and experience the most exciting Pride Season celebrations and LGBT events LA has to offer. Enjoy high-speed Internet, a free one-year digital subscription to OUT magazine, two free welcome beverages and late checkout, where and when available with this value added gay travel package. Book your stay today http://bit.ly/10QN3q9

Free Music Under The LA Stars

In Los Angeles, summer means free outdoor concerts are in full force, beckoning visitors to get outside and enjoy LA’s thriving music scene. From blowout shows to Sunday afternoons in the park, the following free events in Los Angeles will keep you tapping your feet. So get out there, enjoy the weather and tune into the music.

Farmers Market

Farm-fresh summer music at Farmers Market: It’s all about wholesome family fun at this annual summer music series. Combine great food from LA’s original Farmers Market with groups hailing from traditions such as Latin jazz, blues, rock and more. Thursdays and Fridays through September.

Ford Amphitheater

Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season: Imagine watching dance, comedy, film and music performances in the midst of California weather, cypresses and chaparral, courtesy of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. May to mid-October.

Pershing Square Summer Concert Series

Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: In the high-rise heart of Downtown is a palm tree oasis known as Pershing Square, where the summertime brings neighbors, tourists and professionals together for lunchtime concerts on Wednesdays, alternative rock on Thursday nights, films on Friday nights and national touring acts on Saturday nights. Last three weeks in July though the first three weeks of August.

Live at Hollywood & Highland

Live at Hollywood & Highland: This summer series gives you a chance to hobnob with the coolest cats of jazz at Hollywood & Highland while sampling the gifts of Bacchus and helping to end world hunger, all at the same time. Although it is a free event, wine tasting donations benefit Project Angel Food. Mid-July through late August on Tuesdays.

Twilight Dance & Music at The Santa Monica Pier

Twilight Dance and Music at the Santa Monica Pier: Hawaii, Jamaica, Argentina, Africa…these are just a handful of the exotic locations represented by the annual Twilight Dance and Music concert series. Early July through late August.

Summer Sunset Music Festival

Summer Sunset Music Festival in Culver City: The sun’s not the only thing that’s going down in Culver City during the summer. When the day ends, the music begins, bringing you an eclectic array of musical offerings including classic rock, bluegrass and even zydeco. Thursdays in July and August.

Saturdays Off the 405

Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Center: “Saturdays Off the 405” (formerly “Fridays Off the 405”) takes over the Getty Center’s courtyard, which boasts incredible nighttime views of the city. Grab a drink at the cash bar and then check out the musical guests. May to October.

Fill Your Weekend With Music

Los Angeles is an eclectic venue for music. So enjoy your favorite type of music under a blanket of summer stars. With special rates and breakfasts for two – from healthy to decadent – our Bed & Breakfast packages are the perfect way for you to relax and enjoy all the amazing artists Tinseltown has to offer . Book your weekend escape today.

Blog Source: DiscoverLA

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in LA

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. So what better way to celebrate it than with food, friends and margaritas!

 
Olvera Street Festivites

A traditional celebration with mariachis, folklorico dancers, piñatas and other activities for the kids at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles.

When: May 4-5, 2013, Saturday noon- 7 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm,
Where: Olvera Street pedestrian zone at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, 845 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles
Cost: Free
Metro: Red Line to Union Station
Info: (213) 289-4641, www.elpueblo.lacity.org

Grande Cinco De Mayo Block Party in West Hollywood

The City of West Hollywood and Tortilla Republic are co-sponsoring the Grande Cinco De Mayo Block Party in West Hollywood on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The open air parking lot behind Tortilla Republic at 616 Robertson Boulevard (located on El Tovar Place) will be transformed into an outdoor Grande Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring food and live entertainment to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture. Proceeds benefit Project Angel Food.

Cinco de Mayo at the Farmer’s Market

Enjoy Mexican food and drink specials and live entertainment during lunch and dinner at theLA Farmers Market.
When: May 5, 2013, all day
Where: LA Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St,, Los Angeles, 90036
Cost: Free entertainment, food and drinks for purchase
Info: www.farmersmarketla.com

A Lifetime Begins 24 Floors Up in Universal City | Marine Drops a Knee on the Roof of the Hilton

When Camp Pendleton Marine, Ryan Fosner, called to ask if the Hilton would help him arrange the most important moment of his life, the answer was easy. Making memories and creating special moments is what the hospitality industry is all about, and the team was happy to be a part of this significant event.

On break from his military duties, Ryan had decided that March 29, 2013 was the day he would ask his three year girlfriend, Jessica, to be his wife. When he phoned the hotel he explained that he wanted Universal City to be the backdrop to his proposal. “Universal City is so special to the both of us because this is the first place we went together,” explains Ryan. “It was where I told her I loved her for the first time… and the first time she said it back.”

Ryan and Jessica have known each other since High School in Texas. However, it wasn’t until just over three years ago that they started dating. It was just after graduating and around the same time he joined the Marines, which meant spending time together was difficult. “I was constantly away in California training in the infantry while she was working back in Texas, but we always seemed to make things work due to how great the short times together were. Making lasting memories throughout, we grew closer together while developing special places in our hearts for the locations we visited.”

The Hilton was among the greatest of these. “Looking out of the window of the Hilton down to all the spectacular lights was the first time I told her I was falling for her, so it was only fitting that I should propose on the rooftop with a similar view.“ It was an elaborate and detailed plan that the hotel staff could not help but be a part of. Starting with a note in a bottle waiting on the bed for Jessica, the journey continued with consecutive notes that lead her to their special places – where they stayed while their relationship was long distance; the ice cream stand that was their first date; the burger joint by their first apartment; and finally the place they said I love you. Once she drove up to LA and arrived at the hotel, she was directed to the rooftop of the Hilton, and he proposed.

Every memory is held dear, but sometimes the moments created are just magical. That was this moment and the couple and the team at Hilton Universal City will remember it for a long time to come.

Experience a Breathtaking Journey Under the White Big Top

Cavalia brings the magic of horse and rider back to Southern California with their newest show, Odysseo.

Photo Credit: Cavalia, Facebook

The 125-feet tall White Big Top is a traffic stopping addition to the Burbank skyline that signals something extraordinary has come to town.  Cavalia returns bringing its unique combination of equestrian arts, awe inspiring acrobatics and high-tech theatrical effects to wow the audience.

Cavalia Odysseo is the newest show celebrating the beauty and harmony of the meeting of two worlds: those of horse and human. Shrouded in a blue mist rising from the earth, you will find yourself amid a herd of grazing horses, admiring the splendour of the setting sun. Lying on a bed of green, you can contemplate what the stars dream about, what horses dream about. Follow the northern lights as they dance across the heavens. Revel in the birth of spring.

Suddenly, the flat surface of the stage will start to swell and curve. From behind an expanse of rolling hills and a distant desert emerges a herd of horses, seeking an oasis where they can quench their thirst.

Through a symphony of colours and emotions, a series of wonders will unfold. In this intimate yet grandiose setting, humans and horses live in harmony. Surrounded by awe-inspiring images and accompanied by live music, horses and artists – acrobats, dancers, musicians and riders – will take you on a journey to a world where dreams and reality intertwine.

Right now, the show is only in town until March 24th. Don’t miss out on an evening you won’t soon forget.  Click here for show and ticket information.

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Turn your evening at the show into an overnight getaway with our special Cavalia hotel packages.  Please call us  at 1-818-506-2500 to make your reservation.  Offer is subject to availability and additional restrictions may apply.

Or for other special offers and details, visit www.HiltonUniversal.com/specials.

Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City Continues to Collect Green Accolades

Celebrating Four Impactful Years of Sustainability

LOS ANGELES, C.A. (March 1, 2012) ─ Energy and environmental enthusiasts are increasingly calling on businesses to take green action and implement sustainable initiatives.  Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is making great strides in this endeavor and is proud to be one of the few environmentally conscious “Green Seal Silver” certified lodging facilities in California.

There are presently 15 recycling programs established in the hotel that divert to 80-85% of its total waste from being sent to local landfills.  Cardboard, printing paper, light bulbs, guestroom amenities, batteries, toner cartridges, aerosol cans, food waste, yard waste, and kitchen deep fry oil have all been included in the recycling process.  The food waste, for example, goes from the hotel’s compactor to a material recovery facility where it is separated and turned into organic compost.  In paper and food waste alone the hotel’s efforts saved 724 trees and did not take up 198 cubic yards of landfill space.

Since the program’s progressive start in 2009, the team at Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City has recycled the following material:

• 268.48 tons of cardboard and mixed materials (paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum)
• 5,927 light bulbs, 185 ballasts, 596 toner cartridges, and 575 aerosol cans
• 5,476 lbs of plastic containers and 8,770 lbs of soap from leftover guestroom amenities were donated to the Clean the World non-profit organization  
• 171 lbs of  AA batteries, 4,280 lbs of appliances and 11,499 lbs of e-waste
• 1,051 tons of recovered yard and food waste

But recycling is just a fragment of the hotel’s green operations to protect our land, air, and water resources.  The Hilton also initiates environmentally friendly policies by purchasing less hazardous chemicals for its laundry, dish washing, and housekeeping departments.  In addition, they have added energy efficient lighting and motion sensor timers in meeting rooms; installed water conserving toilet fixtures throughout the hotel, and they offer a towel & linen conservation reuse program to guests who stay multiple nights.

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City continues to look ahead and innovate with green practices.  In 2009 the hotel began working with Green Seal, a non-profit organization that developed life cycle based sustainability standards for lodging properties.  This institution sets the environmental norm in the hospitality industry and offers third party certification for those who meet the set criteria.  In 2010, the Hilton began by attaining the Bronze Level certification, and has since recertified at Silver Level every year. Earlier this year, the California Green Lodging Program (a division of California Dept. of General Services/Statewide Travel and Meeting) also granted the hotel their highest rank sustainability prize, the Environmentalist Level award. In addition, there are currently discussions about pursuing LEED certification via their existing building evaluation process.

The hotel’s executives understand that sustainability is meeting present needs without comprising the earth’s future generations, and have shown their commitment to energy-conservation and waste-minimization by implementing environmentally friendly operations.  By doing this, the hotel is not only helping to reduce the greenhouse emissions that impact global climate change and save energy, but is also improving efficiency, lowering operating costs, providing a cleaner and healthier hotel environment, and setting a positive example for employees that boosts morale and property loyalty.

Hilton HHonors’ Teacher Treks Wants to Send You on an Adventure

Some would say that the very act of teaching is an “adventure” already.

Whether analyzing a historic work of art or telling a riveting account of an ancient civilization, teachers are the ultimate conduits to cultural enlightenment.  But how much better would your lesson be if you could recount first-hand experience to your students?

Photo credit: Hilton HHonors, Facebook

Hilton Worldwide has long believed in the power of travel to bring people together and foster greater understanding between countries.  As nuturers of future generations of travelers, teachers play an important role in spreading tolerance and understaning of other cultures and can have a profound impact on their students’ lives.  With this in mind, Hilton HHonors, the loyalty program of Hilton Worldwide, is giving teachers a passport to see the world and bring their experiences back to the classroom through the Teacher Treks Travel Grant Competition.

Photo credit: Hilton HHonors, Facebook

Teachers are invited to submit an essay stating where they would like to visit, what they want to see and how their experiences will be translated into lessons for their classroom.  30 finalists will be selected from entries submitted by March 15th.  From there an expert panel along with public votes will decide the 15 winners who will receive the trip of a lifetime to experience the cultural destination of their choice.

So if you’re a teacher who’s always dreamed of adventure travel, here’s your chance to experience it.  Visit www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks or the HHonors Facebook page for full details and to enter by March 15th.  Good luck!

Hilton HHonors launched Teacher Treks  at the NBCUniversal Golden Globes Awards After Party.  Celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Murray, Sacha Baron Cohen and Jason Isaacs signed an illuminated chalkboard of the world map specially created for the program.  It’s now on display in our lobby so you can get an up close look at this amazing exhibit.

Anne Hathaway

Sacha Baron Cohen

Based on a recent survey*, nearly all teachers believe travel provides cultural education that can’t be fully taught in a classroom (93%) yet nearly half of U.S. teachers travel less than once or twice a year (*Hilton HHonors survey of 1,000+ U.S. teachers grades K-12).  So when you have the opportunity to travel, keep in mind these tips from Perea Blackmon, 2012 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year, to get the most out of your journey.

Perea Blackmon, 2012 District of Columbia Teacher of the Year / Hilton HHonors, YouTube.com

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Hilton Honors Member? Learn more about our member rewards program at the official HHonors website or book your next travel experience at Hilton.com. We hope to see you in Universal City!