Harold Lloyd’s Love Affair at the Birch North Park Theatre

Is the Birch North Park Theatre haunted? Some think so. Legend has it that silent film star Harold Lloyd and his love, Bebe Daniels (both pictured below), may be continuing their life-long love affair in the afterlife... right here in our theatre. Why is that fitting? Because our second annual classic silent film event on September 11 features a Harold Lloyd film! This story of their romance makes us even bigger fans of the bespectacled comic genius, and turns out to play a bigger part in the story of our theatre than we realized.

   

Harold Lloyd first came to San Diego with his father, fell in love with acting, and was discovered by Hal Roach, who made the “Our Gang” movies. Harold’s first leading lady and love was the actress Bebe Daniels. His father was a famous philanderer and Harold himself appeared to have problems with monogamy, but he always returned to Bebe.  When he asked her to marry him, she refused, because in those days a woman would have to give up her life and career to marry. She had no interest in giving up her career or Harold. She performed with Harold in San Diego several times and appeared with him in a theatrical event at the Panama Pacific Exposition in Balboa Park, after he became engaged to his second leading lady, Mildred Davis. 

Both Bebe and Harold married other people but appear to have continued seeing each other throughout their tempestuous marriages and the ups and downs of their respective careers. In 1924, Harold began producing and owning his own movies, and made a pact with William Fox to open a theatre in San Diego, putting up some of his own money to show his films. The North Park Theatre (picture below) was opened in 1928, followed by the Fox Theatre downtown in 1929 – now Symphony Hall.

William Fox lost control of the Fox Film Corporation in 1930 during a hostile takeover, but the theatre still gave Harold a reason to regularly visit San Diego, where often Bebe would be waiting for him. It can be presumed they often rendezvoused at the theatre for the openings of his movies, in the early 1930s. Bebe finally quit Hollywood in 1935 and moved to London with her husband to pursue a successful career in radio and television there. She returned to Hollywood for a few years after the war but returned to England for good in 1948.

Bebe had a stroke in the 1960s and of course Harold came to her side. They remained close until he died of prostate cancer on March 8, 1971. Bebe died of a cerebral hemorrhage just eight days later, on March 16, 1971.

Andrea Rustad of Ghostly Tours in History says that through the many restorations of this theatre, particularly in the 1970s and early ‘80s when it was used by Calvary Church, laughter, whispers and the sounds of someone calling for someone else could be heard in the building. She says Ghostly Tours has personally done two investigations at the theatre and have recorded a man confirmed to be named Harold. Could it be Harold Lloyd, returning to the scene of the happiest times in his life with the woman he loved? It would be nice to think so.

Tickets are now available for “Music and Mirth at the Movies Part II,” featuring Harold Lloyd’s “The Kid Brother” (1927), with live musical accompaniment by Dr. Philip Carli, Saturday, September 11, at 7pm. General Admission $12, Students/Seniors $10, Children $8.

Thanks to the North Park Historical Society and Ghostly Tours in History for background information on Harold Lloyd's history in San Diego, his relationship with Bebe Daniels, and his (possible) ongoing presence at the Birch North Park Theatre.

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Master Keola Beamer and Raiatea in Concert

Fans of Hawaiian music, rejoice! Lyric at the Birch and Tula Productions are proud to present Keola Beamer and Raiatea in concert on Friday, October 29 at the Birch North Park Theatre.

Keola Beamer is one of Hawaii’s premier singer/songwriters, arrangers, composers and Master of the Hawaiian slack key guitar. His well of talent springs from five generations of Hawaii’s most illustrious and beloved musical families. The Beamers trace their roots to the 15th century; among their ancestors are Queen Ahiakumai Ki’eki’e and Ho’olulu, a child of the favored wife of Kamehameha I. 


Raiatea Helm’s virtuoso recordings and performances have already launched her onto the international music scene with extensive concert appearances throughout Japan and Asia. Domestically, she has appeared at venues stretching from New York City to San Francisco.  She has collaborated with legends of Hawaiian music: The Brothers Cazimero, The Makaha Sons, Keali’i Reichel, Ho’okena, Auntie Genoa Keawe, and Ledward Ka’apana. Keola Beamer and Raiatea Helm first met in 2008 when one of the coordinators for the annual Lantern Floating Festival asked them to share a stage. The two clicked, according to Helm, and they decided to start working together. Eventually, months of touring in Japan, China and the continental U.S. led to them deciding to record a full-length album. They have collaborated on a groundbreaking new CD, “Keola Beamer and Raiatea.” This unique recording transcends the Hawaiian music genre and enters the world music stage by incorporating ancient Hawaiian musical instruments into inventive arrangements.

Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door.

Wheels From the Past

Come down to the theatre to check out some hot wheels when the North Park Historical Society presents its first ever Historic Car Show on Saturday, September 11.

This free event will be in the parking lot behind the Birch North Park Theatre from 10am-1pm.  Free historic walking tours of the North Park Commercial District will also be led throughout the day. For more information click here.

Jazz In North Park Series: Four Women Only, Sept. 1

Lyric’s Jazz in North Park Series, presented in conjunction with Holly Hofmann, continues at the Birch North Park Theatre with Four Women Only on September 1, 2010.

Gathering from across the country, Four Women Only is a stellar quintet of players brought together by a common love of jazz. Led by Holly Hofmann on flute, Four Women Only includes Mary Fettig on alto sax, Mimi Fox on guitar, Kristin Korb on bass, and Sylvia Cuenca on drums. All of these artists are top players on their instruments, each with an extensive background in jazz performance and improvisation. This is a rare opportunity to hear this talented group of players in Southern California.

Next up in the Jazz in North Park series:

October 6: Cannonball-Coltrane Project

November 3: The Ken Peplowski Quartet

All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22 for seniors, KSDS 88.3 FM members, and Lyric members, and $27 for general admission. Student discount tickets for $15 are available on the day of the show. For tickets call (619) 239-8836, or order online.

Jazz in North Park is presented by Lyric in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS 88.3 FM) radio.

West Coast Tavern Named North Park BID Business of the Year

Congratulations to our tenant, West Coast Tavern, for being recognized by our community as Business of the Year!

Every year North Park Main Street asks business members to vote for their favorite business of the year. This year, North Park businesses nominated West Coast Tavern, and at the SBA Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by the Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 2, David Cohen, owner of West Coast Tavern, accepted the award for North Park BID Business of the Year.

David has been made exciting changes since tasking over West Coast Tavern, providing a wonderful place for Birch North Park Theatre patrons to grab a bite and a drink before, during, or after the show. Great job!

Free Electronics Recycling Event Aug. 7

North Park and surrounding residents: please join Ron Oster & Jeff 
Discher from Ascent Real Estate for a North Park Community Free Recycling Event on August 7th from 8am-12pm in the Birch North Park Theatre Parking Lot.



We hope to see you with all of your recyclable green electronics:
computers, monitors, televisions, cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, printers, ink and toner cartridges, cable and wires, microwaves, all electronics.
For more information please call 619-814-3433 or visit
wwww.jeffandronsellsd.com.

MUSIC AND MIRTH AT THE MOVIES! Harold Lloyd’s “The Kid Brother"

Lyric at the Birch, in concert with the Harold Lloyd Trust, proudly announce the return of internationally renowned film accompanist Dr. Philip Carli, performing live music for the four-star, all-time classic movie masterpiece, "The Kid Brother."

Last year, the event proved so popular that lines of fans wrapped around the building for tickets!

Return to the golden age of silent film with Harold Lloyd’s classic 1927 comedy “The Kid Brother,” presented with

two entertaining short subjects and a classic cartoon!

Live music will be performed by internationally renowned film accompanist Dr. Philip Carli.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 students/seniors, $8 children.

This beautifully restored film portrays Harold Lloyd as a shy and mild-mannered hero, too bashful to speak to a pretty girl, and too slight and timid to take on the brawny bullies that dog his life. It is a delightful showcase of Harold Lloyd’s amazing balance of humor, sentiment, and action, as well as his famous athletic agility. Once seen, the climax of this film masterpiece will never be forgotten. The evening will also include two entertaining short subjects and a classic cartoon.


Dr. Philip Carli has toured extensively as a film accompanist throughout North America and Europe, performing at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery in Washington, DC, the Cinematheque Quebécoise in Montreal, the National Film Theatre in London, and the Berlin International Film Festival. He performs annually at several film festivals in the United States as well as at Le Giornate del Cinema Muto in Italy.

Tickets: www.birchnorthparktheatre.net, (619) 239-8836, or at the theatre box office.

A “Slice” of Public Art Comes to the Birch

Thanks to the generosity of San Diego public art enthusiasts Ralyn and Nate Wolfstein, a piece of the Port of San Diego’s iconic Urban Trees program has found a permanent home at the Birch North Park Theatre.

The Wolfsteins, who are well know in Southern California for their public art donations and creations of sculpture parks, purchased the sculpture “Slice,” by San Diego artist Linda Joanou, and have donated it to Lyric at the Birch, where it is currently installed outside the 29th Street entrance. “Slice” was part of Urban Trees 4, a series of 30 sculptural interpretations of trees that graced San Diego’s waterfront in 2007-08. Here’s the official description: “The artist captures the ever-changing environment that surrounds us. Sometimes life is hard, sometimes it’s smooth. There are rounded edges and rough textures. ‘Slice’ represents all of this in a tree of stainless steel and copper.”

Ralyn and Nate Wolfstein have a mission to inspire support for art in public places and for the Arts For Healing programs in hospital and healthcare facilities. To this end they have, over the past 20 years demonstrated their belief by placing significant paintings and sculptures in educational and medical facilities in Southern California, such as the University of California at Irvine, Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, and Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas. This is their first donation to a performing arts institution.

The Wolfsteins say: “We invite others to join us in donating art to healing and educational centers and to help promote Arts for Healing Programs in their own communities.”

The Port of San Diego’s Public Art Program conceived Urban Trees, now in its seventh year, to punctuate and activate the postcard views of San Diego Bay and invite people to stroll along and enjoy the pedestrian promenade. Artists are invited to apply their creative energies to the design of artistic trees to add color, form, interest, and fun to the waterfront.

Thirty artworks are commissioned for each season of Urban Trees, which extends for a half mile along Harbor Drive from the Cruise Ship Terminal to Hawthorn Street.

“Slice” will be dedicated to its new home in a brief ceremony this fall.

Extended “Jazz in North Park” Concerts: Bill Cunliffe with Coral MacFarland Thuet

You like the jazz! Lyric’s “Jazz in North Park” Series, presented in conjunction with Holly Hofmann, has been so warmly received at the Birch North Park Theatre that concerts have been added through November 2010.

The second half of the series begins tonight at 7pm, when pianist Bill Cunliffe brings his Imaginación septet to the Birch with San Diego’s own Coral MacFarland Thuet on vocals.

Grammy-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe has developed into one of the premiere players on the West Coast jazz scene. Awarded a 2010 Grammy for his charts on the Resonance Records’ “Tribute to Oscar Peterson” CD from last year, Cunliffe is known for his adventurous piano playing and his capacity to work in a wide array of musical styles. Joining Cunliffe and his Imaginación septet will be jazz and Latin singer Coral MacFarland Thuet, who sings in Spanish, English, and Portuguese with a repertoire of music from Latin America. This will be a wonderful evening of Afro-Cuban jazz.

“The venue and staff at the Theatre make it a wonderful place to present jazz: great vibe, good acoustics and musician-friendly,” said Music Director Hofmann.

Tickets are $22 for seniors, KSDS 88.3 FM members, and Lyric Opera San Diego members, and $27 for general admission. Student discount tickets for $15 are available on the day of the show. Tickets may be purchased at the Birch Box Office, (619) 239-8836, and online: http://www.birchnorthparktheatre.net.

Jazz in North Park is presented by Lyric at the Birch in collaboration with Music Director Holly Hofmann, in association with KSDS 88.3 FM) radio.

The Fab Four’s Music Live at the Birch!

Rockola performs The Beatles’ Classic “Rubber Soul” Album, Sat. June 26, 2010, at 8pm.

One of the most influential vinyl albums of all time was "Rubber Soul" from the iconic and legendary group, The Beatles. It generated several pop hits such as "Nowhere Man," "Michelle," "Girl," and "In My Life," among others. Released in 1965, it was recorded in only four weeks, just in time for a Christmas holiday release. With a debut at number one on the charts, it replaced the previous best selling album, "Help!", ironically from the same group. The album is also noted for infusing folk music sounds into the mainstream consciousness, using instruments such as the sitar and harpsichord. This distinctive sound became known as "psychedelic music."

What you may not know is that the British release of this album is different than the U.S. release, in that the sequential order of tracks on the album are different depending on which version you purchased in your home country.

San Diego's own Rockola is returning to Birch North Park Theatre to perform the entire album. Each time Rockola performs at the theatre, the house is packed. Featuring soloists from the Classic Rock Youth Orchestra, this is certain to be one evening of phenomenal music.

Don't believe us? Click here and see for yourself how the crowd loves Rockola in concert!

Did you know we have a wonderful European-style weekly farmers’ market right here in the heart of North Park?

Click here for a great article from SDNN.com about Catt White, the “market maestra” who, after building the Little Italy Mercato into one of San Diego’s most popular farmers’ markets, recently launched the Adams Avenue Farmers’ Market and also took over and revamped the North Park Farmers’ Market.

Every Thursday starting at 3pm, the North Park Farmers’ Market can be found at 32^nd Street and North Park Way. Like Catt White’s other markets, it features everything from fruits and vegetables, herbs, and flowers to eggs, cheese, fish, meat, bread and more, from certified California producers. Plant lovers can find orchids, fresh flowers, and bedding plants, and dining includes rotisserie chicken, crepes, paninis, smoothies, Italian ices, coffee drinks and local chefs' specialties. Select items from local artisans and artists are also on offer. Stop by any Thursday, and bring your shopping basket!

Thursday June 24: Screening of “Art & Copy"

The Art Institute of California - San Diego, with support from AIGA San Diego, The San Diego Ad Club, and Ad2 San Diego, are hosting a one-night-only screening of “Art & Copy,”
a new film by Doug Pray.

“Art & Copy” is a powerful new film about advertising and inspiration. Directed by Doug Pray (“Surfwise,” “Scratch,” “Hype!”), it reveals the work and wisdom of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time ­– people who have profoundly impacted our culture, yet are virtually unknown outside their industry. Exploding forth from advertising’s “creative revolution” of the 1960s, these artists and writers all brought a surprisingly rebellious spirit to their work in a business more often associated with mediocrity or manipulation: George Lois, Mary Wells, Dan Wieden, Lee Clow, Hal Riney, and others featured in “Art & Copy” were responsible for “Just Do It,” “I Love NY,” “Where’s the Beef?,” “Got Milk?,” “Think Different,” and brilliant campaigns for everything from cars to presidents. They managed to grab the attention of millions and truly move them. Visually interwoven with their stories, TV satellites are launched, billboards are erected, and the social and cultural impact of their ads are brought to light in this dynamic exploration of art, commerce, and human emotion.

$20 ticket purchase includes admission to a pre-show mixer (21 and up) featuring the Montalban Quartet at The Office Bar in North Park; two drink tickets; appetizers; and admission to the film. Tickets for just the film are available for $10. Proceeds will benefit the EDMC Education Foundation, which raises money for The Art Institute's Scholarship Fund to help deserving students in financial need. Tickets are not available through the BNPT Box Office. To buy tickets, call (800) 838-3006 or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/111897. Tickets are will call only and can be claimed at the mixer at The Office Bar, beginning at 6:00PM, on the day of the show.

Tuesday June 22: Explore your neighborhood with a special summer “Twilight Tour”!

As summer approaches and the days get longer, sunset is the perfect time to take a historic tour of our vibrant and exciting neighborhood. On Tuesday, June 22nd, the North Park Historical Society will conduct a docent-led walking tour of the historic commercial core of North Park. The approximately 1-mile, 90-minute walk highlights many of the most important buildings in the area centered on University Avenue and 30th Street.

This “Twilight Tour” is a great way to find out more about the fascinating history of our area, one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Diego. The tour will begin right here at the Birch North Park Theatre at 6:30 pm. The $10 cost includes a brochure describing 30 key buildings, and benefits the non-profit North Park Historical Society. To register, please contact the North Park Historical Society at info@northparkhistory.org.