Two years difference ..

My kid always likes dressing up and coming down to the Dresden for New Years Eve (or anytime for that matter)  Here's the difference two years makes.   My buddy Matt on the left, my Son Julien on the right.

I expect a visit from Julien, Jodi, and Lana this year for New Year's Eve as well...

 

John the maitre d'

The Dresden Front ...

Kathryn with Marty and Elayne @ the Dresden.

Kathryn enjoyed the company, and music, of Marty and Elayne last night @ the Dresden.  She bought the canvas print "Dresden Front" for an undisclosed amount - a gift for a fan of the Dresden.  This is one of my favorite canvas prints on our wall, and, yes, I'm partial because I am the artist who compiled it.  It features a multitude of characters on N. Vermont Ave in front of the iconic Dresden sign.

As maitre d' I have had the good fortune of amazing support on all my artistic endeavors, from the owner, to the patrons, along with support from my fellow employees.  It started with a book - a sort of coffee table book with photos of the Dresden - the lush dining room and throughout the lounge, the current staff, the singers, ect...  Then came the canvas art.  I've sold some.  Marty and Elayne in blue and black, a wonderful "old school" piece depicting Gabriel at work behind the bar.  And, eventually I was honored to have Marty and Elayne choose my portrait of them to hang on the wall of their home (I have a great story about it, but, that's for another time). 

Marty and Elayne approved portrait

Regardless, the point is that in selling one of my pieces last night, and, seeing how appreciative Kathryn was of my work I would just like to let anyone interested know, that I have four copies of the Dresden book left and would be happy to find them a coffee table to be displayed upon.  It is an 8 1/2" by 11" thirty-two page hardcover book, owner approved, and was, for the most part, intended for the staff.  The book is packed with photos of the Dresden.  I am selling these remaining copies for forty dollars each.  You will have to come in and ask for me too see an actual copy of the book.  This may be a very special Christmas gift for any true fan of the Dresden, and, although I realize it is late, I'm in tonight (Friday), and on Christmas Eve. Feel free to contact me with any questions: johnreneaud@gmail.com

- John the maitre d'
http://www.thedresden.com/

New Year's Eve @ the Dresden.

Saturday Night One Frame Film by Dresden T.

Okay, just because Ilya and Johnny know how to laugh...  I thought I'd add a bit of titling to this shot, and, it is perhaps the first in a series of One Framed Films by resident virtual artist Dresden Tony.  The log line is as follows: 

Two very different men desperately struggle to understand and get along with each other over the foreboding regions of an undisclosed cocktail bar...  One, a dashing upcoming Ultimate Fighter, a lover of whiskey and of the world, the other, a debonair singer-of-opera, a lover of wine, women, and song.  They both share only one thing in common, they are both... almost gumbas! 

FINITO.

Thanks for watching

- the Maitre d'

 

The Loss of Will Lovell III is Sad News @ the Dresden

A shot of Will from his Facebook - he jammed on that bass!

I would have to say I was lucky to end up with my gig at the Dresden when it came to me...  Mostly, at first, due to the fact that it was a job and like many Americans I was really in need of work at the time.  So, my wife's friend, who happened to be the wife of one of the owners, indicated that one of the doormen at the Dresden had been hospitalized and her husband needed a doorman for a month.  And, as life would have it, my schedule was wide open, so I offered to cover for the doorman who was out due to illness.  It was just weekends for a month.  Regardless, on my last night as doorman the then manager of the Dresden decided to move on, and, to my surprise, Jim, the owner/manager offered the position of Maitre d' to me.

Will w/ Fans @ the Dresden

The Point is ...  I've worked the Dresden now for just over three years, which, most importantly, has allowed me the good fortune to meet an amazing number of relevant and interesting people - damn close to 96 percent I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know.  A luxury of the position. (the four percent is a discussion for another day).  Fast forward to this week when a lady I never met forwarded me an email indicating that Will Lovell had drowned in the Bahamas on Wednesday, November 6th.  Sad and tragic news indeed for us, both patron and employee.  Aside from being a large, gregarious, humorous character, Will Lovell III was great with a story, and, an accomplished bass player who loved performing along with Marty and Elayne here @ the Dresden.  Out of respect for this once brilliant shinning light I have posted several photos of Will in this post.  Will was a joyful man, as I believe you can see from his smile.  Due to his size, and, more importantly, the size of his personality, I always thought of him as a charming Viking with a musical heart (and, obviously, with a bass in hand).  Sincere sympathies to all.  He will be missed.

Here is Mr. Lovell's obituary.  http://www.starksfuneral.com/obituary?o=861-WQVsS6a0JX

- John the Maitre d'

The Dresden Room Halloween Party

This is an advertisement from cira 1963 at the Dresden.  No one seems to know why the date is hand written, however, it is straight from the official Dresden archive.  Halloween night this year was, admittedly, a bit slow at first, but, ended up with Terri and Gabriel serving a party full of guest singers in costume performing all night long with Marty and Elayne to a bar packed with ghouls, goblins, pumpkin heads, and, a living, breathing, walking taco! I left at 1pm and the party was still going strong.

- John the maitre d'

News from behind the bar ..

Okay, so it's Saturday night...  Johnny will be serving drinks on the west end of the bar in the lounge (w/ Terri on the east end).   Johnny's been a perennial favorite at the Dresden, and, last Wednesday celebrated his lastest birthday.  We are sworn to secrecy as to the amount of revolutions he has personally indulged in around the sun, however, those of us who know Johnny guess his age to be eternally young!   

"I'll have the Blue Label Johnny.  Thanks!  And, happy birthday"  

-  the maitre d

The Readys play the Dresden in Hollywood Sunday Nights ..

The Readys perform in the lounge on Sunday nights 9pm.

Carl Ferraro's 100th Birthday Celebration

Artwork complied by Paul Vitello

Last night's celebration of the memory of Carl Ferraro was, fittingly, a good time for all...  The bar was rowed with mostly regulars very early in the evening.  People were generously sharing stories of their experiences with Mr. Ferraro.  One patron regaled us with stories of the Dresden prior to Mr. Ferraro's ownership of the establishment - stories from 1950!  Our in-house celebrity, Fred Kawano, showed up for dinner and drinks (and I would note that he behaved himself this time) and was as charming as ever.  Many who showed up to honor Carl Ferraro Sr. have been showing up since the beginning of Marty and Elayne's 32 year tenure at the Dresden, and, somewhat surprisingly, there is still a good number of Dresden patrons from even before that.  Personally, my evening started off in grand fashion, I got to assist elegant Eva in booking our private room for her birthday next week.
Jim Ferraro, the current owner/manager of the Dresden, attended, and, with the assistance of Marty and Elayne, he gave a warm, well received tribute to his Dad.  It was a packed house.  We sold our trademark drink, the adventurous Blood and Sand, for 5 dollars a glass.  Sally, a lovely young girl who was at the Dresden for her first time, was sharing a cake that she brought for a friend's birthday party/celebration.  The cake was chocolate.  She somehow talked me into having a piece.  Happy 100th birthday Mr. Ferraro.

 - John, the maitre d'  

Here is an additional shot of Mr. Ferraro via Dali Ewing.  This photo is from 2001.

Marty an Elayne, another interview

Marty and Elayne are often interviewed by the local Hollywood filmmaker types.  A lot of times its USC film school students, or AFI students, which both schools are very near the Dresden's Los Feliz location.  This is a candid shot of Elayne while a wireless microphone is being placed onto Marty, ready to be interviewed...  Once the filmmaker gets back to us with a finished piece I will be happy to post it here @ the Dresden.

Also note:  Kelly R Olson's upcoming documentary on Marty and Elayne
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marty-and-Elayne-Stayin-Alive-At-The-Dresden/84008404729

- John, the maitre d'      

A Celebration of Carl Ferraro, Dresden Owner

photo reproduced from Dresden archival scrapebook

Come celebrate the birth date of the man who founded one of Hollywood most enduring legends - The Dresden!  This Friday, October 18th, marks the passage of what would have been Carl Ferraro's 100th birthday.  Carl's son Jim has indicated that there is to be a celebration honoring the memory of his father, and, acknowledging what an amazing establishment his father created all those years ago. For those who don't know, Mr. Ferraro senior passed away at the age of ninety-one, early in two-thousand and five, he spent a great many years making sure a good time was had by all @ the Dresden.  Pre-2005 patrons remember this wonderful man, and they will, I am certain, be delighted to attend the evening and raise a glass in his name.

I will update you with any additional information regarding this special night, once it is made available to me.  And - yes, Marty and Elayne are scheduled to appear.  They go up at 9pm in the lounge.  I will be hosting your evening.

- John the Maitre d'         

Open Mic with Marty and Elayne

Photo is from a Target commercial with Marty and Elayne.

Tuesday night brings the return of Marty and Elayne to the lounge @ the Dresden.  It is also open mic night for anyone who wishes to sing a song with this dynamic musical duo.  (For those who may not know, Marty and Elayne play standards and jazz)  The show starts at 9pm.  1760 N. Vermont in Los Feliz, CA.  Gabriel will be serving drinks.  Jim will be hosting the evening.   The dining room is available as well.

- the Maitre d'

The Readys Sunday night in the lounge @ the Dresden.

 Just so everyone knows the Readys have moved to Sunday nights!  Monday night is a whole new deal with multiple bands...  And, of course, Tues - Sat is the shining light known as Marty and Elayne.  We have musical entertainment every night of the week starting at 9pm in the lounge. 

Terri, service at the bar ...

Okay.  A simple observation from last night as Maitre d at the Dresden - Friday night was a glide!  All the patrons, new and old were a delight to host.  Johnny and Terri poured amazing drinks...  Marty and Elayne played their collective hearts out (as usual), and, personally, I enjoyed a rather prolonged conversation with a beautiful lady named Patricia who was delighted to be back "home" at the Dresden.   

Update.. Marty and Elayne @ the Dresden.

photo provided via Jim Ferraro

Last night...  John (the patron formally known as Space Monk), one of our longtime patrons at the Dresden, assisted in bringing in a replacement keyboard for Elayne - of Marty and Elayne fame.  The replacement electronic instrument served Elayne well, as she performed her trademark sounds with a rousing version of Staying Alive to test the replacement keyboard.  The audience approved with raised drink glasses and cheers!  Also notable, Adrian, Matt, and Kim made appearances with Marty and Elayne last night.  Oh, and of course, Gabriel and Terri pours some amazing cocktails.

For those who don't know Marty and Elayne perform in the Dresden Lounge Tuesday through Saturday nights @ the Dresden, Located at 1760 N. Vermont in the village of Los Feliz, CA.