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ABOUT THE BOOK: In 1937, legendary architect William Kesling built a stunning Streamline Moderne home in North Hollywood—rumored to be the MGM party house. Fast forward to 1980, when New York Times-anointed “Queen of Kitsch” and Hall of Fame songwriter, Allee Willis, purchased the home with her first royalty checks from Earth, Wind & Fire’s mega-hits "September" and "Boogie Wonderland"; Thus, Willis Wonderland was born.Decked out in eye-popping, period-appropriate bubblegum pink paint, sweeping nautical curves, and Mid-Century Modern furnishings, the home became a tour-de-force of creativity. Here, Allee curated one of the world’s largest collections of kitsch, transforming the space into a living, breathing art piece.
Though Allee is no longer with us, her legend and extraordinary vision live on through The World According to Allee Willis, the acclaimed documentary hitting Hulu in April, and the pop-up book, Willis Wonderland: The Legendary House of Atomic Kitsch.
Join Allee’s good friends—Hillary Carlip (designer, writer, and producer of the book) and Charles
Phoenix (author of the foreword)—as they take you on a virtual tour of Willis Wonderland, celebrating Allee’s singular artistry, bold vision, and infectious joie de vivre.
Pop-up books will be available for purchase, with a signing to follow the presentation. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of creativity, kitsch, and the unmatched magic of Willis Wonderland.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Hillary Carlip is an author of six books, including the best-selling memoir Queen of the Oddballs, about her escapades growing up off the beaten path in Los Angeles. She is a visual artist with works in museums and notable private collections, and an award-winning graphic and motion designer. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly touted Hillary’s “…humor, grace, and brilliantly creative eye.” Chicago Tribune called Hillary, "Gloriously idiosyncratic" and The New York Times declared, "Ms. Carlip's curriculum vitae reads like a CliffsNotes version of American Popular culture.”
Mid-century pop culture expert, Charles Phoenix is a performer, author, explorer and collector celebrating classic and kitschy American life and style. He is known for his spirited “slide show” performances, classic car JOYRIDE videos, colorful coffee table books, “test kitchen” creations and fun “field trip” tours. The New York Times says: “Call him the King of Retro.”
https://www.labreakfastclub.com/event-details/willis-wonderland
ABOUT THE CLUB: Founded in 1925, the Los Angeles Breakfast Club still thrives with food, friendship, and fun. Our meetings are held in our clubhouse, Friendship Auditorium, located at 3201 Riverside Drive, near the corner of Los Feliz Boulevard, in Griffith Park. Best described as a variety show, attendees enjoy a catered breakfast, silly songs, club traditions, and an interesting presentation from a guest speaker.
https://www.labreakfastclub.com
TICKETS: Sales on labreakfastclub.com close 48 hours before breakfast. Non-members are $28 and Members receive a 25% discount when logged into their Membership Portal.
Please arrive between 6:45 - 7:00 AM sharp! Doors close at 7:15 AM. Your admission includes a buffet breakfast, enjoyment of our 100-year-old club traditions, plus a special presentation from our Speaker of the Week!
HEALTH & SAFETY: Surgical disposable face masks or medical-grade masks (i.e., KN95, KF94, N95) are strongly recommended when not eating or drinking, especially during the cold and flu season, and will be provided on request.
ANIMALS: Only Service Animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed indoors at this venue. Please keep pets and emotional support animals safely at home.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
3201 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA, United States, California 90027
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