In the recent Finding Neverland documentary, the long term effects of childhood trauma are clearly demonstrated. The two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck (who tell of the chronic sexual abuse they suffered at the the hands of Michael Jackson), only started to deal with what had happened to them almost 20 years later. Sometimes it takes that amount of distance from the pain to be able to deal with it, but the awful things that happen to you as a child do not simply go away. No, instead those experiences fester within and influence you in multiple ways, playing out in poor choices, addictions, ill health and a possible host of health and behavioral problems. Why does that happen? How does it happen? What does it look like? And how does one make it better?
Well, Rita Ciolek and Marianna Mankowska, both survivors of child abuse, have teamed up to do an in depth feature-length documentary film entitled Child Not Released to find those answers. The film will explore long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect by examining diverse survivor stories. The emphasis is on the effects of trauma on early childhood brain development including developing susceptibility to addictions, problems related to building healthy relationships with oneself and others, and repeating cycles of abuse in the context of intergenerational trauma. The film will also offer innovative approaches to healing, cutting-edge treatments, and experimental programs to help survivors re-wire their brains and overcome trauma. Rita and Marianna share a vision for this film to be a conversation starter on the difficult and often stigmatized issues related to childhood trauma. They want the survivors to know that they are not alone, that resources are available, and that any trauma can be healed.
Due to its hot topic issues, the project is gaining momentum and attracting top experts in the field of childhood trauma including Dr. Ramani Durvasula (psychologist), Dr. Regina Pally (psychiatrist), and Jenica Morin-Pascual (domestic violence expert). The project is also in talks with Dr. Gabor Maté (renowned speaker and bestselling author with expertise on addiction, stress and childhood development), and Dr. James Doty (Clinical Professor of neurosurgery at Stanford).
Interviews with these experts will discuss:
- Re-wiring of brain circuits to overcome trauma Recovery from addictions
- Learning to give language to emotions
- Forming healthy relationships
- Effective parenting
- The third stage of self-esteem development – evolution
The producers are currently looking for collaborators and survivor stories in the local communities. Correspondence can be send to [email protected].
Kazia Productions is a Santa Monica media production company, founded by Rita Ciolek, MFA, CPA,
Rita Ciolek (Founder & Creative Director) is known for collaborations with prominent figures in the entertainment, business and humanitarian worlds including Barbra Streisand, Linda Cruse, Keith Merrill, and David Rudd.
Marianna Mankowska (Co-producer and Lead Animator/Graphic Artist) is a multi-award winning animator and illustrator. (Scenes from the film demonstrating physical, psychological and emotional abuse and neglect will be depicted with animations).
It’s warming up, convertibles have their tops down, and birds are singing. Wouldn’t you be glad to know that they’re not the only ones cooing tunes in the Spring breeze? To kick off the world tour celebrating his new self-titled album, Waterhouse, Nick Waterhouse will be performing a live DJ set poolside at Viceroy Santa Monica as part of the hotel brand’s A Canvas For Discovery artist series.
Waterhouse, a Santa Ana native, is known for his classic rhythm and blues, jazz and soul. He’s been praised for his ability to connect late 1950s rock ability, 1960s R&B and contemporary garage rock.
Waterhouse will be putting on the intimate show at Viceroy Santa Monica, one of LA’s premier coastal hotel properties, next Wednesday, April 24th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. As if it couldn’t get any better, the event is free to the public!
About Viceroy Santa Monica
Located on iconic Ocean Avenue, Viceroy Santa Monica embodies luxury California living at its finest. The property boasts 162 meticulously appointed guestrooms originally designed by internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler. Expansive executive suites updated by Dawson Design Associates offer sweeping ocean views. Enhanced by unique décor elements that blend hints of British colonial and lavish Regency style with modern materials and a bold color palette, as well as first-class amenities and unparalleled guest service, Viceroy Santa Monica, part of Viceroy Hotel Group’s Lifestyle Series, provides visitors with a refined beachside experience unlike any other. On-site amenities include access to two plunge pools surrounded by chic cabanas offering privacy in style; CAST Lounge, an upscale and stylish nightlife destination with curated specialty cocktails in the hotel lobby; and a one-of-a-kind dining experience at CAST Restaurant, an acclaimed restaurant with a locally influenced menu utilizing seasonal and authentic flavors with distinct Los Angeles flare.
Viceroy Santa Monica is located at:
1819 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
For more information and to make a reservation, please visit
Easter is right around the corner, and if you’re in need of plans, we’ve got you covered. Perhaps breakfast is boring, and lunch is too late, but in L.A., brunch is everyone’s favorite meal of the day. Read on for two amazing options to consider for a luxury Easter brunch with your family — kids included!
Celebrate Easter in style at the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills’ restaurant, Avec Nous, by indulging in an elegant, holiday brunch menu. On Sunday, April 21st from 9am – 3pm, Avec Nous will offer an impressive buffet in the historic pavilion room alongside luxe a la carte additions.
Priced at $75 per adult and $58 for children under 12, the lavish brunch spread includes seasonal salads like dandelion greens with blueberries, mint leaves and toasted hazelnuts, an heirloom tomato salad with burrata and balsamic pearls as well as smoked salmon crostini with chive cream cheese, red onions and capers and an impressive selection of charcuterie and cheeses. For a decadent finish, guests can enjoy a variety of hand-crafted French delicacies including assorted petits fours, macarons, lemon meringue tartlets and more.
To complement the buffet, a la carte specials, each priced at $28, include market-driven dishes such as an antelope chop with yellow sweet corn, charred pearl onion and sweet pea as well as a sweet pea and black truffle risotto.
The full menu can be viewed here.
Reservations are recommended and can be made online here or by calling 310-860-8660.
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is located at: 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
VICEROY SANTA MONICA
Celebrate Easter in coastal sophistication at Viceroy Santa Monica’s Cast Restaurant with a special buffet brunch this Sunday from 11am – 3pm. Priced at $65 per person, the impressive spread will include cinnamon cardamom brioche french toast, seared barramundi with saffron ratatouille and Alaskan king crab Benedict along with three carving stations serving herb-crusted Colorado leg of lamb, Maldon salt crusted beef tenderloin and cold poached salmon. A generous custom-order omelet station will accompany the selection of assorted pastries, seasonal fresh fruit, applewood smoked bacon and chicken apple sausage. Children can also enjoy all of the buffet offerings for $28 per child (aged 5-12) and children under five years old are complimentary, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
The full menu can be viewed here and guests can reserve their table here.
Viceroy Santa Monica is located at: 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Premier Stadium Standouts Offered From All 30 MLB Franchises
Major League Baseball (MLB) – the professional baseball organization overseeing and marketing 30 U.S. based franchised teams.
The 2019 MLB FoodFest presented by Budweiser hosts its first Los Angeles based food festival highlighting the best concession items of each of the 30 MLB Stadiums. The selection ranges from ballpark classics to stadium-exclusive fan favorites and new items debuting this season at a number of ballparks.
Each MLB stadium will be represented with fan favorites like the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox’s Hot Lobster Roll, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sisig Fries, the Diamond-Backs’ Churro Dogs as well as the Mariners’ Toasted Grasshoppers. International favorites will include: Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas from London, the Sultanes de Monterrey “Monster Dog” from Monterrey, Mexico and Japanese Curry from Tokyo. To review all offerings, click on to the MLB FoodFest full menu.
Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28
Saturday: 11am – 11pm
Sunday: 11am – 8:30pm
Magic Box at The Reef
1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Various ticket packages are available including 21 and over packages – offering beer samplings and beer pairings. This is a community wide, all ages event bringing the culture of the MLB franchises to life through an extraordinary food experience.
Homeward LA is a 10-day citywide event from April 26 to May 5 where multiple productions of monologues, based on stories from people who have experienced homelessness, will be performed by hundreds of actors all around the city, inspiring the community to address the homeless crisis.
|Last year, over 10 days, nearly 300 actors performed in 26 productions of monologues, based on stories from people who have been homeless.
The productions were seen by nearly 2,000 people in venues all around Los Angeles, raising approximately $55,000 for The Midnight Mission.
This year, from April 26 to May 5, Homeward LA will be staging new stories from those who strive to find their way home in 50 productions across the city.
Join us as we inspire the community to come together and end homelessness.
Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go to The Midnight Mission, a nonprofit on Skid Row that provides shelter, food, education and more to LA’s homeless population. If you cannot attend, please consider donating to the cause via the donate button below.
To learn more or to find other Homeward LA productions, go to Homeward LA
To learn more about The Midnight Mission, go to Midnight Mission
Some material contains adult themes and language.
To buy tickets click here