Tag Archives: Life is Beautiful

Life is Beautiful Indeed! #LIB2015

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

I wasn’t supposed to be there. Really I wasn’t. I wanted to go, but I was supposed to be in Phoenix. Then a dear friend – let’s call him “G” – texts me to say he has a pass for me. Hubby goes to Phoenix without me.  It is a GA pass, and I am totally cool with that. Along the way, new friend “L” gives me a “Holy Shit” wristband that allows me access to literally everywhere except backstage. How’s that for serendipity?

ON the left my GA band and on the right the "Holy Shit" JACKPOT band. Yes, I hit the Jackpot!

On the left my GA band and on the right the “Holy Shit” JACKPOT band. Yes, I hit the Jackpot!

This third year of the event is the first time my schedule has allowed me to attend. I was so energized and overwhelmed by the experience that it took me until today to finish writing this.

Here is what I learned about Life is Beautiful:

  • You need to plan and stick to the plan. I didn’t get to see any of the speakers I wanted to see because I didn’t stick to my plan. I’d run into people I knew and end up talking to them instead of dragging them with me to the Learning Center and by the time I got to the venue, the room was full.
  • The organizers drastically underestimated the appeal of Bill Nye. I talked to a few people who said the room was so packed they couldn’t get in, that he really warranted a stage. Of course I wasn’t there.
  • September is too hot for this event – it really needs to be in October.
  • Drink more water
  • You will never get to see and do everything you want, even if you are there all 3 days. There are often conflicting scheduled performers.
  • Do the research on the bands so you’re better informed and can choose which venue to visit if there is a conflict.
  • After speaking with a wheelchair bound attendee, I learned that LIB had excellent access for the handicapped. He said he had been to more than 20 festivals of this type THIS YEAR and LIB was in the top 3 for accessibility.
  • Walking into the crowd at a Snoop concert is like walking into the crowd at a George Clinton show – be prepared for a contact high.
  • I could have make a FORTUNE if I had a booth selling ICE!

Here is what surprised me about Life is Beautiful

  • The Killers! Brandon Flowers was supposed to perform without The Killers. SURPRISE!
  • I was more interested in the art installations than I expected to be. The Art Motel was a brilliant use of reclaimed space with fabulous interactive art.

    The bottom left reminded me of Cannoli. Many of the installations were interactive and not meant for pics, but for sound!

    The bottom left reminded me of Cannoli. Many of the installations were interactive and not meant for pics, but for sound! On the bottom right, the “Google it” balloon only showed up with your flash.

  • I didn’t see one fight
  • I didn’t see anyone who was severely over-served (aka – drunk as a skunk)
  • The vibe was MUCH more mellow than I expected. People were acting like they were Canadian apologizing for bumping into you <smirk, giggle, snort>
  • A flowy skirt is a good choice. Pants are bullshit.
  • Duran Duran was fantastic! They looked good and sounded great!
  • Helpful and polite staff, including ALL team members!
  • Free drinks at Commonwealth from It’s On Me

    Free Drinks from anyone is a good thing/ Made even cooler when they are from It's On Me!

    Free Drinks from anyone is a good thing. Made even cooler when they are from It’s On Me!

What I loved best about LIB was…

  • Free water stations…even if it was piss warm
  • No Selfie Sticks allowed!
  • The variety of food trucks

    From Top Left Cousins Maine Lobster Roll Truck U BBQ - pulled pork torta Buldogi's Angry Dog Strip Chezze's Hot Streak SandWISH Oming's Kitchen Lumpia

    Clockwise From Top Left:
    Cousins Maine Lobster Roll
    Truck U BBQ – pulled pork torta
    Buldogi’s Angry Dog
    Strip Chezze’s Hot Streak SandWISH
    Oming’s Kitchen Lumpia

  • The map was excellent! Compact with a complete schedule of events included and easy to read.
  • The APP!!! Create your own schedule, follow along with what is hot, and search by artist, time slot or venue to find exactly what you want.
  • My “Holy Shit” wristband allowed me into the artists’ lounge so I could hang out with my fellow culinary friends, enjoy Brian Howard’s roasted pork and an open bar.
  • My fave bar, Atomic Liquors, was in the footprint of the festival grounds this year so I could go in, cool off, drink great beer and use a REAL commode.

Biggest disappointment? Not getting to see the Banksy art installation truck open. There was no schedule as to when the back of the truck would be open, you just had to luck into seeing it. I guess that is par for the course with Banksy!

I wonder what was inside?

I wonder what was inside?

Schedule permitting, I am attending next year with a better plan to NOT miss anything I am truly interested in seeing. I also learned that the “Holy Shit” band could not be purchased. It was a gift from the sponsors. SOOOO….I am putting it out there NOW for 2016 that I was truly grateful and would love that opportunity again!

 

Grills & Guitars 2015

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

The kickoff event to Life is Beautiful was held at the SLS Foxtail Pool and the food was fantastic! Many of my faves were on hand to serve up some great food, but a few were noticeably absent . The cocktails by the liquor sponsors were varied and delish (I did not drink the tequila). And a good time was aimed for by all, but it wasn’t all good. Having chaired and worked several of these types of events, I know there is a lot that goes into them and a LOT that can go wrong. When it is an annual event in the same location like DISH or Taste of the Nation, there is always the opportunity to learn from mistakes and make it better the following year. While this event is annual, it is NOT in the same place every year, so new challenges arise with different staffing, planning teams and regulations based on the venue. The first time we attended G & G it was outdoors downtown, adjacent to the LIB grounds and it was phenomenal. Last year I missed out because I was out of town. This year John and I were both thinking it should return to downtown next year.

According to one of the staff members, the fire dept made them reconfigure the layout of the booths at the last minute and ALL of the grills, hot boxes, ovens, steamers and fryers were ALL in the same place, away from the stage for Spoon. The new layout caused huge bottle neck problems in traffic flow and while the event wasn’t oversold, it sure seemed like it trying to get through the throng of people. Incidentally the new layout also made it as hot as the gates of hell.

The Good

Echo & Rig's oyster display. The grilled Oysters were one of the best bites of the night!

Echo & Rig’s oyster display. The grilled Oysters were one of the best bites of the night!

  • Wide variety of food – not the “slider fest” of recent events – Best bites? Shawarma from Cleo and Grilled Oysters from Echo & Rig
  • Excellent cocktail selections
  • Great photo opps for attendees with some of their fave celeb chefs
  • Beautiful venue
    Chef Kim Canteenwalla in the back ground while one of the grillmasters shows off a Tomahawk Ribeye.

    Chef Kim Canteenwalla in the background while one of the grillmasters shows off a Tomahawk Ribeye.

    Ketel One had my fave drinks of the night, but there was a great Jack Daniels Peach offering as well

    Ketel One had my fave drinks of the night, but there was a great Jack Daniels Peach offering as well

    Chefs Hubert Keller and Laurent Pillard

    Chefs Hubert Keller and Laurent Pillard

     

The Bad

  • Ineffective door procedures. There was no Media Check-in set up when we arrived and once set up, I never saw anyone man that station. People were jumping into whichever line was moving faster (they had separate lines for GA tix holders and invited VIPs) and security wasn’t honoring the signage so people from the back of the line were getting in ahead of people who had patiently waited their turn. No clearly marked reentry area.
  • No smoking lounge – At every poolside event I have been to in this town there is a designated smoking area – even Vegas Uncork’d Grand Tasting. In order to vape or smoke you had to exit to the casino and wait in line all over again to get back in…because there was no clearly marked reentry
  • Hot as the gates of hell because all heating elements were in the same area and there was NO breeze at all. NO air circulation, nothing. Thank goodness I had my personal fan.
  • Only corporate beer was represented, no local or craft beer available. Dos Equis and Heineken were our only choices.

The Ugly

Poor customer service from the security and valet at the SLS.

The very first G & G we attended was a great value for the dollar. This one was a disappointment. Still I’d go back again next year, and every year after that.

And BTW – all these photos were taken with my Samsung Galaxy s6 – yes, really! To see all of the pics, go check out my FB page Good for Spooning.