The Cavalcade of Jazz

Y'all, THIS, my latest for LAist, has been a total labor of love. It is the story of the inspiring Leon Hefflin and his incredible Cavalcade of Jazz, a giant summer music festival that delighted Angelenos for over a decade.

Like a Modern Day Cowboy

Hi friends! Check out the latest print edition of The Hollywood Reporter (with the glorious Regina King on the cover), where I take a look at the soaring popularity of the High Desert, one of the coolest places in California. Link to article HERE.

Inside the Royal Nursery

In THIS, my latest for Vanity Fair, a brief history of royal (and royally cute) babies, just in time for the birth of Princess Eugenie's son.

The Lives of Lady Day

In THIS, the latest for my Vanity Fair Old Hollywood Book Club, the funny and foul-mouthed Billie Holiday, who told the story of her tragic yet triumphant life with a straight-forward, hard-edged humor in the legendary autobiography "Lady Sings the Blues."

PS: I LOVED this book. Highly recommend.

Black History Month In LA

I am so excited about THIS project I am doing with Los Angeles Magazine! Every weekday this month, we will highlight a fascinating Black Angeleno in LA history. Up first, Luis and Maria Quintero, two of LA's OG settlers.

A Grand Man With Many Plans

In THIS, my latest for Ventura Blvd. Mag, the artist Stuart Kusher.

The Literary Lights of the SFV

Hi darlings! I wrote THIS fun little piece on the surprisingly rich literary history of the San Fernando Valley!

Talking History on KPCC

Loved talking to A. Martinez on Take Two about the history of smallpox in Los Angeles. Listen HERE.

So Much More Than A Sex Kitten

In THIS, my latest for Vanity Fair, the absolutely spectacular, fabulous and footloose life of Ms. Eartha Mae Kitt. I LOVE her.

Sweet Summer Nights

In THIS, my latest for PBS SoCal, the cultural treasure which is the Hollywood Bowl.

History Repeating Itself (Again)

In THIS, my latest for LAist, everything old is new again when it comes to how we handle deadly outbreaks of infectious disease...

Netflix To The Rescue?

Pick up the latest copy of The Hollywood Reporter, on newsstands today, where I take a look at how the streaming wars may save commercial real estate in Los Angeles.

Barbara Payton, Bombshell

In THIS, the latest for my Vanity Fair Old Hollywood Book Club, a story close to my heart which inspired this whole series, that of the tragic yet unsparingly honest movie starlet Barbara Payton, and her cautionary tale of a life.

Movie Theater Magnate Me Too

In THIS, my latest for THR, the story of the alleged sexual assault that helped take down a Hollywood legend

Free Forever

In THIS, my latest for LAist, a new look at the important legacy of Biddy Mason, whose story is richer, more nuanced and more amazing that many surface histories (including my own) have led us to believe.

The Royal Zoo

In THIS, my latest for Vanity Fair, a brief history of royal pets. Move over corgis- they are simply the tip of the royal zoo...

Santa Monica Sunset

In THIS, my latest for LAist, the amazing historians, artists, and community members recording, rediscovering and honoring the important history of Black Santa Monica.

The Bard of Self-Destruction

In THIS, my latest for Vanity Fair, comic legend Richard Pryor's confounding, almost unbelievably tumultuous life.

Monument Meltdown

Hey friends! Check out THIS, the latest edition of The Hollywood Reporter, where I talk some of Hollywood's cancelled historical monuments. On newsstands today!

Happy Hanukkah!

In THIS, my latest for Los Angeles Magazine, a brief, happy history of Hanukkah in Los Angeles.