At the risk of sounding cliché, but where did 2011 go?! It seems like only last month we were dishing out prizes for our Sweet Tweets contestants like they were candy hearts. This year I have learned a lot, for example:

1. Do not, I repeat do not get in the way of a baker and her spatula. I learned that the hard way when the Renaissance Hollywood hosted DrinkEatPlay’s annual Cupcake Challenge. They may bake sweets but I will tell you one thing-if they say you cannot lick the spatula, you drop that spatula.

2. Just because people say you look like Ryan Gosling’s older brother, does not mean you can joke that you two are related. If you do, there will be a stampede and near riot on the property.

3. Even though, the guys at Cirque de Soleil make it look easy, IRIS cannot be recreated-no matter how hard you practice.

4. Lions, like their domesticated cousins the house cat, enjoy a little cat nip here and there.

5. Sweet potato tator tots at Twist are extremely addictive. Try them with caution. I spent most of September in a spud haze because of the delicious, crispy, piping hot morsels. Kicking those babies was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to give up. Even worst than the time I went on an Almas Caviar binge. In fact, I think to reward myself for my hard work I will pop over and place a small order of them.

To commemorate this great year I encourage you to celebrate with style. Here are a few more tips from me to you for this NYE season:

Universal City Walk has a huge free, all ages, outdoor New Year’s Eve Countdown Bash available to the public. The event features live music and DJs beginning at 9 pm, and fireworks from 2 ends of the street at midnight.

When: 9 pm – 12:30 am

Where: Universal City Walk, at the top of Universal Studios Blvd. off the 101 Freeway.

Tickets: Free

Parking: Before 6 pm, $15 general/$20 preferred, after 6 pm $40 general, $45 valet.

Metro: Red Line to Universal City station

New Year’s Eve at Hermosa Beach Pier is a free community celebration with Lou Giovanetti and His Big Band performing and a replay of the New York Times Square ball drop. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to dine at the surrounding restaurants.

When: 8:30 pm – 1:30 am

Where: Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach

Tickets: Free

Parking: various lots

Info: www.hbchamber.net

Big Bang New Year’s Eve with Cobra Starship and Lupe Fiasco hosted by Mario Lopez and Extra TV at Hollywood & Highland also includes multiple parties. In addition to the one at Highlands nightclub, which is also included in several other multi-venue tickets, there will be festivities in the Kodak Theatre Ballroom, the Annex Special Event Center and a candle-lit pool area.Entertainment includes live bands, DJs, cirque performers, choreographed dancers and more. Cobra Starship concert is only available to VIP ticket holders.

When: 9 pm to 2 am

Where: Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028

Tickets: $75 General Admission, $125-150 VIP with open bar, table packages available

Parking: $2 for 2 hours, $10 max at Hollywood & Highland (must be validated at Hollywood & Highland), limited street parking.

Age Limit: 21 and up
Info and Tickets

As always, the Metropolitan Transit Authority will offer free rides on Metro buses and trains New Year’s Eve. Take advantage of this free and safe ride. Service will be free between 9 pm and 2am starting on December 31. To plan your Metro trip, go to www.metro.net or call 1-800-COMMUTE.

Whatever you end up doing this New Year’s Eve have fun, be safe and stay classy.

This is Bruce, signing off.

Angelenos we really have it made. About 329 days of sunshine, Hollywood Bowl, a plethora of cultures and cuisines, the Lakers. In addition,  we have been slowly but surely building a fleet of breweries. The newest edition is Golden Road Brewing.

Located just 5 miles away on the edge of Los Feliz and Atwater Village the young owners are making quite a name for themselves. Lucky for us, the Renaissance Hollywood will carry two of Golden Road Brewing’s beers on tap.

The Renaissance Hollywood will be serving up Golden Road Brewing’s “Point the Way IPA,” which will pair beautifully with the Butter Based Filet or Black Truffle Risotto. Or, try their Hefeweizen, with Blue Ribbon’s BBQ Pork Sliders or the Salmon Toast while you’re watching Luca Ellis in the Lobby Bar.

Stop in for a brew, we’ll have one waiting for you.

This is Bruce, signing off.

Faithful followers and curious browsers, I must vent to you. The other day at a party while deep in conversation with friends, I was interrupted by an acquaintance’s suggestion that I falsified my blog posts. (Insert gasp). I was shocked, appalled then furious. How could anyone accuse me of such a thing?! I suppressed the part of me that wanted to introduce this man to my fists and took the high road. The road they should probably just refer to as the Bruce Gorelick Highway. All this speculation for a man that once was asked by Andrew Lloyd Webber of Cats fame (the musical not the feline) to share his story on stage. That’s right, old Brucey was asked to turn his life full of action and adventure into a Broadway play. I ultimately decided not to go through with it. I want there to be intrigue and mystery surrounding my life, besides I don’t think they could afford the pyrotechnics needed for that little incident in the Caribbean in ’92.

Although, I lost my shot at Broadway doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a great musical, which is why I couldn’t be happier about the Renaissance Hollywood’s partnership with cabaret concert producers The Coterie. On various nights throughout the week, Twist Restaurant will be transformed into a chic, luxurious supper club, showcasing the best and brightest talent from Broadway, Film, Television, Comedy and all genres of Music.

Starting the month off right, Emmy-winng composer/songwriter Lance Horne held his “First Things Last” songbook release party at Renaissance’s Twist during Coterie.  He was joined by comedienne Margaret Cho, Milena Govich, Kathryn Gallagher, Julie Garnye. Everyone was surprised when Ricki Lake  joined after her Dancing with the Stars performance.  It was a GLEEful crowd when Darren Criss joined in with his ode to girl power, “The Coolest Girl.”

November the Renaissance Hollywood welcomes Boubliland Schonberg’s Les Miserables: Unplugged produced by Jordan Beck. The show will play on November 3. 4. 12 & 13 at 8:30 pm in the Renaissance Hollywood’s Twist Restaurant. For more information visit www.thecoterieLA.com.

You’re not going to want to miss anything. Our new RLife LIVE Calendar will be coming out this week, a great resource to be in the know for our upcoming shows.  The Coterie has transformed the old Twist into an incredible RLife LIVE venue.

Oh and if you’re wondering how my encounter ended with that vile gentleman that made such harsh accusations. I simply smiled politely and answered, “I guess you’ll never know.”

This is Bruce, signing off.

Just the other day I was enjoying lunch with two old friends, Rudolph Giuliani and current Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë. We had friendly debates over our hometowns ranging from who had the best street food (LA) and who had the most tourists (Paris). To completely absurd topics such as who has the most traffic (NYC).

Things took a turn for the worst when not one of us could come to an agreement over which city had the best collection of art. “Think about the Met” cried Giuliani. “What about the Louvre?” proclaimed Delanoë. The argument went on and on until we arrived at the agreement to just disagree. The three of us left the restaurant on an unfriendly note. Perhaps calling the Mona Lisa fat was in poor taste. But seriously, how could these two elitists overlook MOCA, LACMA and the Getty?! I eventually moved passed the argument. That was until the Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA. 1945-1980. Check and mate boys.

What is Pacific Standard Time you ask? Not just a time zone my friends, the Pacific Standard Time is collaboration between 60 cultural institutions across Southern California celebrating the birth of the L.A. art scene and the iconic artists who shaped many of today’s trends both nationally and internationally. This first time collaboration is monumental! Never before has any metropolitan area ever mobilized all its cultural institutions this way (take that NYC!). The project’s mission is to uncover the largely hidden historical record of Southern California art and present its richness and diversity.

Because the Renaissance Hollywood knows a good thing when we see it, we are offering a deluxe guest room, valet parking, breakfast for two and passes for participating Pacific Standard Time museums. Rate program for this package is ECEO, internet code is CUE.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some gloating to do. This is Bruce, signing off

I’m rarely impressed and never easily excited. I remember my trip to the Vatican, gazing up at the Sistine Chapel and thinking mmmmmm okay. Not that the art work isn’t amazing, which it is; it just did not blow my figurative skirt up. Now given my high enthusiasm tolerance, imagine my surprise when I was completely blown away by a little Canadian entertainment company called Cirque du Soleil. Ever heard of them?

I can go on explaining how fantastic the costumes are, how skilled their performers and how the music evoked every human emotion out of me. But I won’t, instead I will let you be the judge with this clip.

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See, what I’m talking about?! My excitement level was raised even further when I found out Cirque du Soleil’s IRIS – A Journey Through the World of Cinema is the new resident show in my very own ‘hood, at the Kodak Theatre. It all starts on July 21^st. To celebrate IRIS coming to town the Renaissance Hollywood is offering a Cirque du Soleil package.

We are throwing in:

- Deluxe room accommodations*

- Breakfast for 2 adults in Twist

- Complimentary Valet Parking per night

- 25 percent off regular performance ticket price

- 25th Anniversary Cirque Du Soleil complimentary iTunes CD (exclusive to the Renaissance Hollywood)

Need more info? Visit http://www.renaissancehollywood.com/, or http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/iris/default.aspx OR follow us on Twitter or Facebook for updates.

*Because there is always fine print:

*Booking dates are July 21-September 24, 2011

*Rate is based on availability and is subject to blackout dates.

*Offer cannot be used with any other discount or promotion, and

cannot be used for 10 or more rooms.

Make sure to come see the new Cirque du Soleil IRIS – A Journey Through the World of Cinema at the Kodak Theatre.  I have gotten a few sneak peaks when they asked me to give pointers to the acrobats.  The show looks absolutely fantastic.  I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.  Or come stay with us and make night of it.  You even get to eat our fabulous breakfast buffet or have some lemon soufflé pancakes (my personal favorite) the next morning.  And the best part of it all. . . . . . you don’t have to travel to Rome to check it out.

This is Bruce signing off.