'HOLLYWOOD UNDERGROUND' DINNER
On a very VERY warm Saturday night, October 1, 2005 the Hollywood Underground group held their annual dinner and presentations right in the main corridor of the Cathedral Mausoleum. Just steps away from the resting place of Rudolph Valentino! This would be Hollywood history in the making, as it marked the very first time such an event was held there! Its not often I get to do something unique connected to Rudolph Valentino, so when I was invited to be one of their guest speakers for the evening, to serve up the Valentino portion, I jumped at the opportunity. Later, so many wonderful people made a point to come up to me either before or after the dinner to express their appreciation for the Valentino Forever presentation. That was truly gratifying. I hope some of them enjoyed it enough that they would begin to attend the annual services every August 23rd.
I would like to personally thank two very special people connected to Hollywood Underground, who made it all happen, Lisa Burks, one of the most gifted writers in Hollywood, who extended the invitation to me after buying a copy of Valentino Forever in the Cemetery gift shop, and to Steve Goldstein who kept the party hopping as Emcee extraordinaire and presented me with a Valentino grave cup! Steve also runs the Beneath Los Angeles - check out his website! So on with the show, here's a peek at what happened!
Karen McHale, founder of www.hollywoodundergound.com welcomes everyone at the door
The Valentino crypt just before dusk - candles are already in place
Raffle tickets were distributed and programs of the evenings events were handed out
A full cocktail bar was on hand to bolster even the most nervous!
Tables line the main entrance corridor
The Rudolph Valentino table
Lisa Burks and friend
Melissa Delgado mingles with the living and the dead!
Its getting darker....
A toast to Valentino, something I promised myself I'd do, and kept.
Chairperson Harry Martin chats with Scott Michaels
Dinner overseen by the apostles (and Eleanor Powell -buried just to the left!)
dinner is served
the crowd mingles before dinner starts
The Ann Sheridan table
Emcee Steve Goldstein welcomes everyone
Web legend (Find a Death .com) Scott Michaels gives a great presentation. I was delighted to meet and speak with him afterwards. BE SURE you visit his site!
I signed copies of Valentino Forever after the ceremony. My Valentino coffee cup is seen on the table!
Presented by Steve Goldstein of www.beneathlosangeles.com
Thank You!
by Candlelight only....... Goodnight, Valentino.