Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Hollywood Forever cemetery

It sounds macabre, I know, but for those of you not from L.A., watching films in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a great pastime of ours. Every weekend during the summer, we confab with picnic blankets, lawn chairs and even air mattresses to eat, drink, and watch a classic film under the stars. (Yes, even we have a few stars in the sky.)

This year is the tenth anniversary of Cinespia, the organization that screens the films, and they asked for our requests. I wrote in "Anything Audrey Hepburn!" and they listened. The most well-known and beloved of Audrey's films, Breakfast at Tiffany's, will be screened this Saturday August 6th at 8 pm. This year is the first time you can pre-order tickets online, and as someone who goes quite regularly, I highly recommend doing this. And queueing up very early, because this place fills up rather fast! But even sitting on the front lawn waiting to be let in can be fun, with people starting their picnics (and wine drinking) early. And this is where you make friends.

If you are in the area, please try to make this. It's a really fun and memorable way to spend a night in L.A., and the most unique way to see Audrey.

It's that time again . . .

Time for summer film screenings in the park! I love this part of summer. This morning I went over to Facebook, the only way I know what's going on with any of my friends, and found an update from Cinespia, the group that does the film screenings in the Hollywood Forever cemetery. They just posted their June schedule, and it's always a good sign when they put a picture of Audrey next to their post. :)

So, all you fabulous L.A. and southern California fans, mark your calendars for Saturday June 13th. Gates open at 7:30, the film starts at 9, and it's a $10 mandatory "donation" to get in. Come early because parking is hideous and I'm sure the place will fill up fast. You're encouraged to bring low picnic chairs, blankets, food, anything to make you comfortable that won't block other people's line of vision, so make a fun night of it. It'll be great, I promise. I'll go as an early birthday present to myself (oh, like I need an excuse!), and having seen Funny Face before on the big screen in San Francisco, I can tell you with absolute certainty that it will be amazing. It's like seeing the film for the first time all over again. And if you haven't seen the film yet or have some friends who haven't, it's a great way to introduce yourself or them to Audrey on the big screen. Or, rather, the side of a mausoleum, if you want to get technical. Either way, she sings, she dances, she wears amazing Givenchy creations, she's completely in her element in this film. Go. GO! You can even sit with me if you can't find anyone else to bring along, just be sure to come out, it'll be great. Maybe we can get a sing-along going. ;)

And I'm still working on all my pictures from my trip, so once I'm done editing I was thinking I'd just post all of the Timeless Audrey exhibit pictures on Flickr for everyone to peruse at their leisure. There's quite a lot -- they take up pretty much my entire 1 GB memory card, and they're all huge, high quality pictures -- so rather than posting in batches and making the blog load slowly, I'll just post a link. And if you really like any you may comment. :)

The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund is rewarded; what are you doing this weekend?

Designs of Hope, a specialized set of fundraisers that take place across America to benefit UNICEF, has come in ahead of schedule in their goal to raise $5 million for orphans with AIDS in five years. This year they held a series of galas which featured the finest in food and fashion, finishing on a high note in Houston, Texas, with a fashion tribute to Audrey Hepburn. Honored at the June 8 event was actress Jane Seymour, for her ongoing humanitarian efforts, and the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, for their work with women and children affected by AIDS. There was an Audrey-inspired fashion show, as well. You can read more about the Designs of Hope events here, since this was sadly their last year.

So . . . what are you doing tomorrow? If you're in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend heading down to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and catching Roman Holiday on the side of a mausoleum. It may sound a little creepy to you, but have you ever been to a film screening in a cemetery? More importantly, have you been to a film at Hollywood Forever? It's amazing, to put it simply. If you can, please go! Though I highly recommend getting there early, as the line forms quickly and they do allow only a certain number of people in to a screening. Tickets are $10 and only available on entry, and you're highly recommended to bring a picnic blanket and some good food to go with your great movie.