This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Rachel Rosenthal Celebrates her 83rd Birthday with a Bang
Last weekend Rachel Rosenthal celebrated her birthday with a wild and wacky shindig at Track 16. Dramatic and funny performances paid tribute to the popular artist and teacher, delicious Cake Diva cupcakes were passed by a sexy Marie Antoinette and an eccentric array of guests laughed as they drank little pink bottles of Bitch Bubbly.
The walls were hung with portraits of Rosenthal from the likes of Ed Moses and Robert Rauschenberg. There were also interesting dioramas and collages. The silent auction was a little slow, with $15,000 paintings going for between $500 dollars and $8,000. If only I had 500 dollars!
One of the best performances of the night was by "Ruby", Rachel's "twin sister" who resented all of the attention being paid to Rachel and lamented her own lonely birthday on operatic song. Another performance connected a vibraphone to an overhead projector, so that images on the wall changed in synch with the music.
The birthday cake was an out-of-control and colorful explosion of music, dance and theater. Marie Antoinette handed Rosenthal a long knife, and I stood up to get a picture of her cutting the cake. Instead Rosenthal did a sudden samurai dance with the long knife, coming perilously close. It would be just my luck to have my throat slit by Rachel Rosenthal while the entire audience applauded at the arterial spray, "So cutting edge! Brava!"
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
