House of Blues Sunset Strip | Foundation Room Newsletter


Staff Spotlight	Return to Top

Brian Rushton Brian Rushton rejoins at House of Blues as our Executive Chef. We asked Brian and he shared with us: How long have you been at House of Blues? I started at the House of Blues Sunset Strip on August 13th 2003 as a cook. I have worked in both the Foundation Room and Porch restaurants as a cook and chef in Los Angeles and Chicago for the last 6 1/2 years; with a brief sabbatical as Executive Sous Chef of Villa Blanca restaurant in Beverly Hills. Hometown? I am a local boy, born at Cedar Sinai and spent my childhood and early adolescence in Granada Hills. I am a third generation Los Angelino. Most memorable concert at House of Blues? A moment that will always be vivid in my memory is watching Eric Clapton do his sound check before a show here at House of Blues Sunset. The man truly is the Einstein of modern music. Have you ever had a celebrity sighting in Foundation Room? Many of us have had "celebrity sightings" within Foundation Room but one I will never forget is bumping into and literally knocking over Sir Elton John as he was exiting the Room. I was in a mad dash to try to get some ingredients we desperately needed in the Foundation kitchen. Needless to say he was very gracious about the encounter and I was and still am mortified, stuttering apologies as I helped him up and he went on his way to play to a sold out room of very eager fans in the music hall. Favorite Food? I have been blessed to live in 2 of the most acclaimed culinary cities, Los Angeles and Chicago, and it is almost impossible to hone down my favorite food to one dish. As a cuisine it is a dead even tie between Japanese and Spanish, but that could change as fast as the winds. I love food. What is your favorite thing about Los Angeles? Los Angeles has always been my home and while I have left for long stretches of time throughout my life, I am always drawn back. I think Los Angeles has a diversity of food, cultures, and experiences that are unrivaled anywhere else in the country and possibly the world. I feel like House of Blues on a consolidated scale encompasses those same qualities and the possibilities for the future speak directly to that point.


Member Spotlight	Return to Top

Norm Kinard Norm Kinard is the Founder and President of Highland Parking & Transportation, a full service transportation company located in Studio City. With over 15 years of experience, he has established himself as the "go to guy" for planning and managing transportation for a variety of functions, from elite entertainment events to massive corporate conferences and everything in between. Highland Parking & Transportation is capable of providing and coordinating all aspects of transportation including limousines, buses and valet parking. Norm's career began with Valet Parking Service where he eventually became the Director of Special Events. To this day, he consults for them on major events such as the Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards. "My experience with the House of Blues dates back to the mid 90's when VPS was their parking operator. I gained experience and confidence providing support to the professional staff that ran the daily parking operation at House of Blues. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic food and environment in the Foundation Room while entertaining countless clients. My Foundation Room membership has proven to be an invaluable asset to my career." Thank you Norm for your kind words! — Foundation Room Team


The Gold Corner	Return to Top

Upgrade to Gold and receive the ability to send all your clients, friends and family to any Foundation Room in the country PLUS receive the GIFT of Signature Gold Unlimited Society Membership! "We have always taken advantage of the benefit of Signature Gold...this trip we really cashed in—saved well over $1,000. The savings from using Signature Gold will pay for my annual dues." — Signature Gold Member, Brookhaven Country Club Access to Private Country Clubs with Complimentary* Green Fees When traveling, enjoy complimentary green fees at over 135 private country clubs, including Firestone in Akron, Ohio, Mission Hills and Indian Wells in Palm Springs, California, and Bear's Best and Canyon Gate in Las Vegas. (2 complimentary green fees per club every 30 days!) This summer, enjoy even more complimentary golf benefits at the following clubs: Oahu Country Club — Oahu, Hawaii Somersett Country Club — Reno, Nevada Parkland Gold Club — Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Lakewood Golf Club — Point Clear, Alabama Cowan's Ford Golf Club — Charlotte, North Carolina The Club at Bond Head and Wyndance Golf Club — Toronto, Ontario Firestone South Course (June 1 – July 4) — Akron, Ohio Access to Private Dining Clubs with Complimentary* Meals When traveling, enjoy complimentary meals at over 65 Private Dining Clubs across the Country outside of your home city of Los Angeles and Orange County. Clubs are located throughout the U.S.! This summer, enjoy complimentary pre-theater dining at the New York landmark 21 Club! Already a Signature Gold Member? Discover what else you can do with your membership benefits throughout the country. Call the ClubLine at (866) 989-4653. For updated Club Corp Gold News, click here. Interested in becoming a Signature Gold Unlimited Society Member? Call your Foundation Room Concierge to upgrade to Gold today at (323) 848-5138!


IHOBF Update	Return to Top

For 2010, IHOBF-Los Angeles conducted a spoken word, rap and poetry competition in celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fifth through twelfth grade students were called upon to create pieces that highlighted Dr. King's commitment to social justice and equality for all people and to engage with Dr. King's ideas and consider them in relation to their own lives. First, second and third place winners were invited to present their pieces at a House of Blues Sunset Strip Gospel Brunch on Sunday, January 17, 2010. The International House of Blues Foundation (IHOBF) is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the arts to schools and communities through programs that promote cultural understanding and encourage creative expression. IHOBF is supported by House of Blues, House of Blues Foundation Room members, Live Nation and other public and private donors. To check out all the great work that is being done around the country by the International House of Blues Foundation click here.


Member Benefits Reminder	Return to Top

The InterContinental Los Angeles Century City The InterContinental Los Angeles Century City is a taste of true Hollywood style. Our glamorous Westside address is adjacent to Beverly Hills and within walking distance to upscale shopping at Westfield Century City. A quick drive will take you to Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade. All 364 guest rooms, including 181 elegant suites have furnished private balconies with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica beaches. SPA InterContinental features 3 luxurious private villas with individual zen garden and Kohler SOK infinity tub. Health club with fitness gym, outdoor heated swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms are available. Special offer for Foundation Room Members to stay at InterContinental Los Angeles Century City for $250 per night plus 14% applicable occupancy tax and $0.19 CA Assessment Tax. Plan a fabulous weekend escape by shopping on Rodeo Drive with the hotel's complimentary private chauffeured Mercedes Benz car service and by relaxing at the SPA InterContinental with a 20% discount for Foundation Room Members. Please call your Concierge to book! PLUS: Join us on Friday February 26th at the Foundation Room Member CARNIVAL Marquee Party and enter to win raffle prize of a 1 night weekend night stay at Intercontinental in a Deluxe Suite with a full American Breakfast for 2. Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel offers stylish accommodations, warm hospitality and a superb location at one of Los Angeles' top shopping and tourist destinations. Celebrated New York based interior designer Vicente Wolf brought his signature style to the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, blending the classic, the comfortable and the contemporary into harmonious shades of casual elegance. Each of the 87 guest rooms, including penthouse suites with private balconies, were re-imagined in 2009 with new furnishings, luxurious linens and a restful palette. The goal for each of the knowledgeable and attentive staff is to make every guest feel welcome and cared for. The small number of rooms at Luxe Rodeo ensures a personal touch and service with a smile. Cafe Rodeo, the hotels signature dining venue serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, is the only restaurant on Rodeo Drive and affords guests the perfect spot for people watching. Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel recently opened a studio featuring state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and each guestroom offers iHome stations, complimentary wireless internet access, a flat screen TV and plush robes. Luxe Rodeo Drive has a special rate of $249 per night for HOB/Foundation Room members, which includes a welcome glass of select California wine or cappuccino, American breakfast for two, complimentary wireless high speed internet and daily USA Today newspaper. Please call your Concierge to book! PLUS: Join us on Friday February 26th at the Foundation Room Member CARNIVAL Marquee Party and enter to win raffle prize of a 1 night stay at Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel in Deluxe accommodations.


Member Referral Program	Return to Top

Don't Forget Our Member Referral Program! Bring in a new member and receive $150 towards drinks and dinner in the room! $350 for Corporate Memberships! Just pass along the contact information of the interested parties and we will take it from there! Contact your concierge for details.


Special Events	Return to Top

PARTY CENTRAL The Top 5 Reasons to host a Party in the Foundation Room: You LOVE your employees — Valentine's Day Beads Become You — Mardi Gras 2009 is Gone for Good Mad for Metal — Experience House of Blues' Resident 80s Tribute — Steel Panther 60 Days until Tax Day...Make it a Double To reserve your Special Event space today please call (323) 848-5105


Past Member Events	Return to Top

January and February Monday Steel Panther Pre-Party Mondays at 8:00pm Members have come out on Mondays for our Steel Panther Pre-Party at 8:00pm in Foundation Room for the $4 Fat Tire and Drink Specials and the Special Concert Price for Members at $10 concert ticket (includes all fees). Hanukah Hour — 12.12, 12.14, 12.15, & 12.16 7:00pm to 8:00pm Members joined us from 7:00pm to 8:00pm for a Special Hanukah Hour during the 8 days of the Festival of Lights on December 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th. We offered $8 Drink Specials; a Chocolate Gelt Martini and a Vodka Latka as well as $8 Special Tapas; Potato Latkas and Suganiyot (Jelly Donuts)! Cougar Night Wine Tasting — 12.16 7:00pm Cougar Night was a successful event held on Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00pm in Foundation Room. Members met with Jessi Kovacs, pictured below, & Juan Barbieri from last season's The Bachelorette. We had a special wine tasting from the Kovacs Brothers label. Tasting was complimentary to members and $12 per person for non-members/member guests. New Year's Eve: Black & White Party! — 12.31 9:00pm Everyone dressed to the nines in Black and White and Joined us in Foundation Room for a Special New Year's Eve! Foundation Room Members had their own VIP Private Areas and Bar Packages for New Years Eve. Party favors were given out prior to the New Year's countdown. The Big Game — 2.7 1:00pm to 7:00pm Over 100 people gathered around the screens on Sunday February 7th in Foundation Room and watched the game in style and laughed with comedians from The Comedy Store. The complimentary New Orleans inspired buffet was a hit and everyone loved the Hurricane drink specials. Raffle prizes included House of Blues retail store items! We hope to see you all next year for The Big Game!


Upcoming Shows	Return to Top

02.13 G. Love & Special Sauce 02.14 House of Blues Gospel Brunch 02.14 Motion City Soundtrack with Set Your Goals, This Providence, and The Swellers 02.15 Steel Panther 02.16 Zatarain's Presents Mardi Gras Featuring: Los Lonely Boys Acoustic Brotherhood Tour with special guests 02.17 Alkaline Trio with Cursive, The Dear & Departed 02.18 Epica 02.19 The Damned with Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel 02.21 Take Action Tour with We The Kings, Mayday Parade, A Rocket to the Moon and There For Tomorrow 02.22 Steel Panther 02.25 Cheap Trick 02.26 Al Di Meola 02.27 Ladera Skateboards Presents: Winter Blackout 2010 featuring The Expendables Iration and Passafire 02.28 House of Blues Gospel Brunch 03.01 Steel Panther 03.02 George Thorogood & The Destroyers 03.06 KROQ Presents: Rebelution with Soja & Zion I 03.07 KROQ Presents: Rebelution with Soja & Zion I 03.08 Steel Panther 03.10 Sevendust 03.14 House of Blues Gospel Brunch 03.14 Possessed 03.15 Steel Panther 03.17 Young Dubliners 03.18 New Found Glory with Saves The Day, Hellogoodbye and Fireworks 03.20 El Chapo de Sinaloa with invitada especial: Valentina 03.22 Steel Panther 03.23 Kreator with Kataklysm, Evile, Lightning Swords of Death, Lazarus A.D. 03.24 KROQ Presents Bad Religion 03.25 KROQ Presents Bad Religion 03.26 Chrisette Michele with Laura Izibor 03.27 Hammerfall with Powerglove 03.28 House of Blues Gospel Brunch 03.29 Steel Panther 03.30 Rockstar Energy Drink presents the AP Tour featuring Never Shout Never with special guests Hey Monday

New and Renewed Members

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Alan Shelton
Alfonso Pelayo
Anthony Navarro
Barry Siegel
Bernard Azer
Bill Vuylsteke
Brendan Edwards
Brian Riordan
Bridget Drake
Chris Cohick
Chris Underwood
Christian Chivaroli
Christopher Nicks
Daniel Mellon
David W. Buehler
Dennis Trine
Derek Bomar
Elvis Strange
Eric Shevin
George E. Davis Jr.
George Nolan
Gino Margarino
Grant Stevens
Gregory McDonald

Hendrick White
Jeff Underwood
Jesse Collins
Jill Allemand
John Frankenheimer
John Guerrero
John Sakmar
Jonathan Bromberg
Jordan Friedman
Juan Garcia
Kamika Dillard
Karen Briscoe
Kiera Chivaroli
Kyle Rochlin
Larry Einbund
Larry Lingua
Laszlo Nemeth
Lloyd Cotsen
Lori Iaquinta
Marty Sasson
Maurice Martin
Mayer Rashtian
Mevan Randeniya
Michael Eubanks

Michael Shepard
Pamela Grissom
Pearl Stringer
Richard Mottram
Rick Chivaroli
Robert Harkins
Robert Marken
Robert Payinda
Rondell Sheridan
Sanusi Umar
Stacy Samworth
Stephen Docherty
Steve Freestone
Steve Nemenyi
Terrence Jones
Thomas Lee
Thomas Westfall
Tim Stanislawski
Todd Stevens
Troy Wyatt
Veronica Ruston
William De La Pena
Zack Fagan