Join us for this month’s Indie Thursday Artist Showcase featuring some of the best talent in indie music, pop rock, and neo soul! Starting at 7:30 pm in our Lobby Bar this Thursday, March 4th, come see these upcoming artists perform live:

7:30 Diana Anaid (Twitter)
8:00 Gene Loveland (Twitter)
8:30 Bobby Tinsley (Twitter)
9:00 Lindsay Rae Spurlock (Twitter)
9:30 Keaton Simons (Twitter)
10:00 Sink To See (Twitter)

While enjoying the music, guests are encouraged to try the delicious appetizers, delightful entrees, and handcrafted signature cocktails available from the Lobby Bar. All ages are welcome to these family-friendly events and, unlike a lot of venues in Hollywood, there’s no cover. That means FREE for everyone!

Like any ordinary couple, me and the missus have a pretty set routine for Valentine’s Day: The day before, we spin a globe in my office, drop a dart while blindfolded, and pick a country. The next day, we travel to that country’s capitol, explore the local museums, find the country’s most cherished national treasure, and then steal it. Usually, we have one or two run-ins with the local law, but it’s nothing we can’t handle; the real danger is the missus, who occasionally betrays me to the authorities for fun and leaves me for dead. Of course, call me Bruce “Midnight Express” Gorelick, because a little jail time has never kept me from my missus; there’s always a smooch by the end of the end of the night.

That said, this year, we’re doing something different. This year, it’s the KJAZZ 88.1 FM Valentine’s Day Jazz Dinner. With live music courtesy of KJAZZ, LA’s premier jazz radio station, and a real feast a’cookin’ at Twist Restaurant, I believe this year we’ll have a great time without all the handcuffs and jumping from moving vehicles.

Can you think of a more romantic accompaniment to dinner than live jazz? But from whom? Well, let me introduce you to your entertainer for the evening (if you choose to accept this mission of amor): Denise Donatelli. She grew up in a musical family, studying classical piano, and in 2005, Denise recorded her debut CD, receiving critical acclaim and winning a 2005 Blue Chip Jazz CD Award. Her latest recording was released in August 2008, about which LA Times writer Don Heckman wrote, “There’s so much right about this new CD that it’s almost redundant for me to sort through the beauties of each track.”

The Dinner, starting at 6 pm on February 14, 2010 (don’t miss it by coming in 2009), starts with a Salad of Roasted Beets, Belgian Endive, Candied Pistachio, Blue Cheese, Citrus Segments, and Champagne Vinaigrette; that’s followed by a soup course of Wild Mushroom Bisque, Shaved Reggiano, and Truffl e Oil (FYI, I know people who have killed for truffle oil) and then an intermezzo course of Champagne Sorbet, just to whet the appetite for the real deal.

Each person will have a choice of one of the following ridiculously delectable entrees: Butter-Basted Filet Mignon and Mesquite-Grilled Maine Lobster Tail with Lobster Smashed Potato; Herb Crusted New Zealand Rack of Lamb Provencal with Truffled Potato Puree; or Foraged Mushroom Stuffed Breast of Chicken with Squash Risotto and Grilled Asparagus. Desert, of course, is similarly fit for the Gods: Flourless Valrhona Chocolate Cake, with Dulce de Leche Gelato and Fresh Raspberries. I don’t even know how to pronounce “Valrhona” and that makes me know it’s good.

At $99 per couple, with a complimentary bottle of Aria Sparkling White Wine, this dinner’s a steal. Not that I’d ever steal anything… For reservations, call 323.491.1000 or visit KJAZZ.

This is Bruce, signing off.

Every Sunday, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa hosts the KJAZZ 88.1FM Sunday Champagne Brunch Series from 11:00am-2:00pm in Twist Restaurant.

This Sunday’s featured artist, Ernie Andrews, has managed to be both popular and underrated throughout his lengthy career. Billy Eckstine and Al Hibbler were early influences and, after reaching maturity, Andrews was somewhat in the shadow of Joe Williams (who has a similar style). Andrews recorded for Aladdin, Columbia, and London in the late ’40s, spent six years singing with the Harry James Orchestra, and cut a couple of big band dates for GNP/Crescendo during 1958-1959. Despite his unchanging style, Andrews was mostly in obscurity during the 1960s and ’70s. A 1980 Discovery date found him in excellent form, and in the ’80s, he was rediscovered. Andrews recorded with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut, Gene Harris’ Superband, Jay McShann, and with the Harper Brothers, in addition to making a few sets in the 1990s for Muse, and later High Note. Hear some of his tunes at LaLa.com.

The brunch, which includes all you can eat and drink from a wide variety of stations throughout the restaurant including omelets, eggs Benedict, waffles, carved prime rib, hot entrees, salads, desserts, champagne, mimosas and much, much, more.

Reservations can be made by contacting Twist Restaurant at (323) 491-1000 or online at www.opentable.com. More information on KJAZZ 88.1FM and the brunch series can be found at http://www.jazzandblues.org.

Check out this small gallery of photos from the most recent drink.eat.play event, the International Wine Festival, where hundreds of people came by the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa’s Hollywood Ballroom to sample fine wines from over 60 different sellers. More important, there was also a chocolate fountain. I mean, that’s pretty sweet, right?

Next up for drink.eat.play will be the Feb 20th: the Cupcake Challenge at the Renaissance Hollywood (woo!) (2/20), the 80s Prom Party at the Music Box @ Fonda (2/26), and the Los Angeles Sake Fest, also at the Renaissance Hollywood (3/27).

You can see more photos at our Facebook page.

Don’t forget: This morning, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa hosts the KJAZZ 88.1FM Sunday Champagne Brunch from 11:00am-2:00pm in Twist Restaurant, featuring Carol Welsman!

CAROL WELSMAN is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist. Winner of “Album of the Year” at the 2008 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, and nominee for “Best Female Vocalist”, Carol has received four Juno Award nominations, the Canadian equivalent to the Grammy Award. Hear more of Welsman at MySpace.

The brunch, which includes all you can eat and drink from a wide variety of stations throughout the restaurant including omelets, eggs Benedict, waffles, carved prime rib, hot entrees, salads, desserts, champagne, mimosas and much, much, more.

Reservations can be made by contacting Twist Restaurant at (323) 491-1000 or online at www.opentable.com. More information on KJAZZ 88.1FM and the brunch series can be found at at KJAZZ’s site.