It is a daunting task to launch a high-end restaurant in a difficult economy, not to mention having to deal with the sky-high rents of Beverly Hills. The people behind Taberna Mexicana must have been extremely confident when they opened their new Bedford Drive establishment in the midst of some of the most expensive real estate in the ritziest part of Los Angeles. Having recently experienced the elegant atmosphere, expert service and fine creative dishes of executive chef Alex Padilla, it is clear to us that Taberna Mexicana has the right stuff to compete in this challenging market.

The Bass Player LIVE! concert at the Key Club in Hollywood on October 22, 2011 was a raucous stroll down memory lane. A packed house of industry pros, fans and bass guitar junkies were in the club to honor the legendary careers of Jack Casady, James Jamerson and Larry Graham. Casady and Graham were presented with lifetime achievement awards while James Jamerson Jr. accepted for his deceased father. The highlights of the evening were the live sets performed by the honored musicians and the sit ins by talented guests.

Hermosa Beach got a whole lot funkier when New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk played at Saint Rocke on September 21, 2011. The five piece band has a reputation for delivering nasty, bass heavy funk to legions of fans. At Saint Rock the band brought a packed house to their feet for a long and sweaty show.

It happens often in music. Artists from different groups get together for a side project. Sometimes they record an album, but usually it is for a live show where the members jam on some cover songs and try to create a unique musical experience. They each go back to their respective groups with memories of a special night – some fond, some mixed. The problem with these so called “superjams” is the lack of cohesion and big egos getting in the way of a magical music experience. That is not remotely the case with Dragon Smoke. This New Orleans based quartet of band leaders came to The Mint on December 7, 2011 during a brief California mini-tour. Although they have performed as a group only a handful of times, they played like a band that has been a successful unit for years. The savvy, NOLA music loving packed house was blown away by their awesome show.

Orgone, a Los Angeles based funk, rock and soul group, heated up The Mint in Los Angeles on November 23, 2011. This group of talented musicians tours extensively and their live shows have an energy that is greater than the music on their studio albums. The show featured nearly two hours of inspired instrumental tunes and sultry vocals that brought a dance happy crowd to a sweaty hysteria.

Elegant burlesque star and modern fashion icon Dita Von Teese hosted a Cointreau-drenched evening at New York’s Royalton Hotel on November 15, and we were there.

"Happy birthday, Taka Taka, you are now zero. On the Day of the Dead. Now let's have some fun!" shouted the leader of the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra as the band ripped into a sizzling set of Latin dance music. Quick to respond were several hundred guests dressed in striking "funeral chic" masquerade befitting the Mexican holiday and quaffing the high-end mescal, Oseki saki and Sapporo beer flowing freely. Dozens immediately grooved into their sexiest salsa moves, watched approvingly by the festive day-glow skulls and funeral masks that twirled on strings hung from the rafters.

The band MGMT kicked off the first of a two-night stand in New York with a "one-of-a-kind, site-specific musical piece" on November 10, 2011, as part of the Guggenheim Museum’s launch of its stunning new exhibition of the art of Italian hyperrealist sculptor Maurizio Cattelan.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 13, 2011, with a music-and-photo fusion bash at New York’s Cutting Room nightclub.

The Mint in Los Angeles was the place to be for classic funk delivered by the incomparable Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste and his all-star band. Modeliste was the original drummer of the Meters and his talent, warmth, and charm solidified the support of an already funk loving group of fans. The August 18, 2011 show was an exploration of Modeliste’s catalog of Meters classics, a few new funky gems, and some choice covers.