November 10th at 7:00pm. In Saving Radio City Music Hall, published by TurningPointPress, Rosemary Novellino-Mearns reveals how Radio City Music Hall, Art Deco masterpiece and New York City’s premiere tourist attraction for generations, was saved from demolition. After years of struggling with intense, sometimes painful memories, “Rosie” tells the honest, fact-filled, emotionally charged, and often humorous story of how she organized the gargantuan effort to save Radio City Music Hall in the Spring of 1978. Against all odds, and in only four months, she succeeded. Readers will be shocked by the “no good deed goes unpunished” climax of the story in which Rosie reveals her reward for spearheading the movement to save “The Showplace of the Nation.”

*$10 Presentation only  – Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
*$15 Presentation only  – Non Members (Pay Below with small Paypal fee)
Book available through Amazon
*After your purchase you will be emailed the special presentation link by 6pm the day before the presentation and by 12pm on the day of the presentation.

Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society

Presents

Saving Radio City Music Hall – A Dancer’s True Story

by Rosemary Novellino-Mearns

November 10th at 7:00pm

A modest but determined young dancer from Glen Rock, New Jersey, Rosemary Novellino joined the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company, the classical dance counterpart to the world-famous Rockettes, in 1966. After a shaky beginning, she danced with the group for twelve years, eventually becoming its Dance Captain and Assistant to the legendary choreographer Peter Gennaro. In the mid-1970s, questionable behind-the-scenes changes in Music Hall management alarmed hundreds of employees, but no one was prepared for the official announcement in early 1978, that Radio City Music Hall was slated to close that April and be demolished.

Drawing upon formerly untapped inner strengths, Rosemary refused to let this happen. She became President of “The Showpeople’s Committee to Save Radio City Music Hall” and motivated fellow workers, friends, thousands of Radio City fans around the world, New York and national media, cultural leaders and politicians to support the cause. As a result of these efforts, the Art Deco palace was declared a National Historic Landmark. saving not only the building but the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Music Hall employees on stage and behind the scenes who have entertained millions to this day. This “heartfelt and very personal account of that effort,” says Booklist, “provides a backstage glimpse of the drama that ensued and features a cast of characters that includes performers, politicians, the media, and some very heavy hitters in the world of New York real estate that will delight readers interested in the performing arts and their history in the U.S.”

Sunday July 31st, 1-5pm. Please join us at the historical Gilmore Adobe on Sunday, July 31st, from 1:00 to 5:00 for our Annual Meeting and barbecue. The Gilmore Adobe was built in 1852 and is located in that mysterious space at The Grove hidden behind tall walls, beautiful gardens, and colorful peacocks. Wedged between Maggiano’s, the former home of Wood Ranch, and Umami Burger the Gilmore Adobe is beautifully preserved and is one of the oldest homes in Los Angeles. It has served the Gilmore family since Arthur Gilmore purchased the house and surrounding 256 acres in 1880. Guests will have full access to the charming museums and on the grounds of the adobe. We will have a guest speaker and food and wine will be served.

SOLD OUT

Members – $55*
Non-Members – $65*

Sunday, July 31st 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Gilmore Adobe, Charming museums and on the grounds, Guest speaker

6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, 90036

Windsor Square Hancock Historical Society
Presents

2023 Annual Meeting and Barbeque

SOLD OUT!
NO MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE

Members $65
Non-Members $80

On the grounds of one of the best houses in Windsor Square
501 S. Plymouth Blvd, SW corner of 5th and Plymouth.

Not only is the O’Melveny House a beautiful historic Craftsman-style home it is also the cover photo of our website and was moved in pieces from its original location at Wilshire Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue. It is now the home of our hosts, Executive Committee member, Brian Curran and his husband, Kevin MacLellan.

If you would like more information on the history of the house, you can go here.  https://wilshireboulevardhouses.blogspot.com/2013/06/3250-wilshire-boulevard-please-see-our.html

Guest speaker author Rosemary Lord

Rosemary is an actress and the author of the popular books Hollywood: Then And Now, Los Angeles: Then And Now, and Los Angeles. Rosemary will be speaking to us on the history of the Women’s Club Of Hollywood of which she is the newly elected President.

For new members, the Historical Society holds its Annual Meeting every year to give out our Landmark Awards and install our new Executive Committee for the next year. We also install our new class of Trustees and Advisors.