A Unique Band of NoHo Artists Throw a Whale of a Party

The following announcement was posted by on North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch on Feb. 29 about a group of "inland" artists who put on a show to help , an environmental advocacy group based in Santa Monica.

In one of the few times I ever got to see the ocean as part of my job as editor of North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch, I got to visit Heal the Bay's aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier when a group of students from went there to help clean the beach. See the video here:

See the , or read below ...

Artists, musicians, magicians, storytellers, a circus and a tasty vegetarian snack came together to support the Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica and teach children about whales, recycling, seaweed and protecting the environment.

Brandon Scott a resident Noho Artist who produces films, theatre and music in NOHO  was challenged when asked to gather a group of artists from the “inland” to show that non-coastal residents also care about the ocean.  With many great artists residing  all throughout the San Fernando Valley and as far as the Inland Empire, Brandon who is passionate about the artists community in Noho, chose as many Nohonian Artists as he could gather to meet the challenge and partner with the Santa Monica community to send a message to the world. And so “The Troubadours of the Deep” were born. Thanks to the sponsorship of Cool Cups, a natural vegetarian dessert snack who cares about the environment; they traveled to our nearest coast to support our California beaches and clean Ocean and celebrate the whales on their journey through our part of the world.

In an innovative and original family event, “The Troubadours of the Deep” used music, song, video, illusion and games to entertain, educate and inspire children of all ages to think, to act and to care about the oceans, beaches and the impact that even the simplest choices have on our environment. “This is one of the most exciting shows I've ever been involved with.” commented host/co- producer Brandon Scott, member of the Actors Forum Theatre, a non profit theatre in North Hollywood were the show was put together. “We have local musicians, actors, parents and children who live and work in and around NoHo reaching out to our neighboring coastal communities in an effort to Coolup the Environment.

Hundreds of people attended and the Heal the Bay Aquarium was full of fun and surprises. Families from all parts of Los Angeles played Eco-Toss, participated in craft making with recycled plastic cups and enjoyed “The Underwater Cabaret.”

Featuring magician/storyteller Brandon Scott and original music by Harry Evry, this magical musical “Eco-Theater” demonstrates a new concept in “Free Choice Learning”, where sound, music, images, words and immersive activities are used to make even the most complex subjects and ideas understandable, memorable and easily accessible. Free Choice Learning is an increasingly popular technique in museums and education based in part on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. This theory demonstrates that different people learn in very different ways.

According to the project co-producer Harry Evry, “The Heal the Bay ‘Cool Up The Environment’ event represents an exciting new demonstration in free choice storytelling from an unique group who've collectively contributed to numerous innovative shows, exhibits and attractions, including popular theme parks, television shows, the Las Vegas Spring Preserve and the USC IGM Art Gallery.”

The CoolUp The Environment event was made possible through the generous support of Cool Cups, CoolUp Tv, MenuPlex Media, The Xcel Foundation, Transmersive, the Actors Forum Theatre Organization and Lion's Den Entertainment. Admission was free thanks to the support of Cirque du Soleil, whose brilliant spectacle OVO is now playing at the Santa Monica Pier across from the Heal the Bay Aquarium. Heal the Bay is a non profit organization whose mission is to make southern California's coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean.

“The cast and crew (including: Brandon Scott, Harry Evry, Cathryn 'Saahira' MacEllerhan, Katie Johann, Maya Johann, Bonnie Gordon, Tammy Grady, Britain Grady, Ari Dane, Kassie 'Sparkles' Corral, Steve Luke, Larry Nimmer, Dennis Carmichael, Zoe Mosk, Arthur Evry, Mike Vlastas, Mike Ziton, Taylor Cole, Joane Luke, Jen Salazar and Havaja Mina Frljuckic with special thanks to Shadoe Stevens and Janice Jordan) collectively donated their time and talent to make this successful event”, said Tom Mosk, Cool Cups Executive, whose company sponsored this ground breaking event. 
http://coolup.tv http://cool-cups.com