Abby Savell, Founder and CEO of LA Percussion Rentals joins Janeane 9/23 at 9:00am. HOLLYWOOD’S ULTIMATE SOUND WAREHOUSE EXPANDS AS LA PERCUSSION RENTALS & RECORDING LAUNCHES IN-HOUSE RECORDING STUDIO FOR MEDIA COMPOSERS. CI 88.9fm

 LAPR Opens Its Renowned Archives to Create a Live, Experimental Tracking Space for Film, TV, and Game Scoring

 

LOS ANGELES, CA — LA Percussion Rentals & Recording (LAPR), the premier source for elite instruments in the entertainment industry, has officially announced the launch of its new in-house recording studio services.

 

Designed specifically for film, television, video game, and professional media composers, LAPR is the first of its kind, a large-scale, percussion-focused service that delivers exploration and recording in one location. It offers a fully equipped, live tracking space that gives composers a greater array of services from solo player multi-tracking to intimate ensemble sessions, providing an agile, budget-friendly alternative to traditional Hollywood scoring stages.

 

"We wanted to remove the barriers between a composer's imagination and the final recording," says Abby Savell, Founder and CEO of LA Percussion Rentals. "Instead of staring at an empty room waiting for a truck to arrive, creators can walk directly onto our warehouse floor. It is a massive sonic playground!"

 

LAPR’s vast inventory of premier orchestral gear, rare world instruments, and the historic Emil Richards collection of legendary sound artifacts has been heard on iconic Hollywood soundtracks. 

Most recently award-winning writer and composer Daniel Pemberton used LAPR resources in the summer blockbuster hit "Project Hail Mary” creating an other-worldly score with an eclectic variety of wooden instruments and some metals in key sequences.

 

LAPR In-House Recording Features include:

●      Zero Cartage Fees: Complete elimination of instrument transport, trucking coordination, and packing logistics.

●      The World's Instrument Depot: Instant access to thousands of pro symphonic percussion instruments, sound effects, and rare cultural instruments.

●      Sonic Exploration: The unique freedom to audition, swap, and experiment with rare timbres live in the room, followed by a tracking session

●      Professional Percussionists:

LAPRR staff are available to help composers logistically and creatively, helping with selection and suggesting ways to explore the instruments more deeply for sounds.

 

About LA Percussion Rentals and Recording

Founded in 2004 by professional percussionists Abby Savell and her late husband, Dan, LA Percussion Rentals & Recording is a cornerstone of the Southern California music and film industry. Housing an unparalleled collection of world, orchestral, and custom sound-effects instruments, LAPR supplies elite gear to major scoring stages, world tours, and premium recording sessions across the globe. With the addition of its in-house recording studio, LAPRR continues to innovate by providing one-stop tracking solutions for the modern media composer.

 

To set up an interview with Abby Savell about LAPR, please contact Deborah Gilels of LA Media Consultants at gilelsdeborah@gmail.com or call 818-648-9513

FRITZ COLEMAN’S HIT COMEDY, UNASSISTED RESIDENCY, CONTINUES THIRD YEAR AT EL PORTAL MONROE FORUM WITH FALL SCHEDULE OF NEW DATES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2026
Press/media contact: Lori De Waal, (818) 817-4444, lori.dewaal@dewaalpr.com


FRITZ COLEMAN’S HIT COMEDY, UNASSISTED RESIDENCY, CONTINUES THIRD YEAR AT EL PORTAL MONROE FORUM WITH FALL SCHEDULE OF NEW DATES, SEPTEMBER 27, OCTOBER 25, AND NOVEMBER 29, AS EL PORTAL CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR


Fritz Coleman’s show, Unassisted Residency, continues its third year of playing to capacity houses at the intimate Monroe Forum at the historical landmark El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, itself celebrating its Centennial year in 2026.


Marking 100 years as an entertainment venue, the El Portal started as a vaudeville house, then showed movies, later switching to Spanish-language films. Designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural landmark in 1993 before being damaged by the Northridge quake the following year. The theatre was restored and re-opened as a multi-stage performing arts complex in 2000. Originally designed by noted architect Lewis Arthur Snith, featuring an Art Deco marquee, the lobby was later enhanced by bas-relief artwork by Anthony Heinsbergen illustrating scenes from California history. The restored venue is a beautiful place to host entertainment, often called the “Jewel in the North Hollywood Crown.”


The El Portal will have its Centennial Gala on Saturday, November 28. The event, open to the public, will be hosted by Fritz Coleman and will feature a star-studded array of personalities, with celebratory performances and recognitions. Fritz will resume with his regular show on the following day, November 29.


Unassisted Residency, created and performed by Fritz Coleman, is the longest-running solo show in the history of the El Portal.


Fritz is a beloved figure locally. The Honorary Mayor of Toluca Lake, the five-time Emmy® Award winner spent 39 years at KNBC Channel 4 where he was the public’s go-to person to get the up-to-date information about California’s weather. Unassisted Residency returns him to his comedy roots, as he was a comedian before becoming a weatherman and popular local television personality.


Comedy is certainly what we can all use in these turbulent times. Fritz delivers a show with clean content (a rarity in live comedy these days), filled with the warmth, wisdom, and wit that his many, many fans have come to expect from Fritz Coleman.


Fritz is now a senior, and that’s the basis of Unassisted Residency. Says Fritz, “I’m old and I can’t do anything about it. I spend an hour and a half describing the common experience of aging---what it’s like to be a grandparent, what it was like having your grandkids home during the pandemic, all the changes that happen to your body, your mind, and your family life.” The show is a platform to talk about those topics which emerge from Fritz’s current perspective: that of a still vital seventy-something, covering things like retirement, becoming vegan, pharmaceuticals, celebrating growing up and growing old. The show will also feature some of his favorite stories and observations about modern life.


The show is a matinee performance. Fritz says, “The show starts early…because I’m trying to be sensitive to the needs of my particular demographic….old people and their parents. I promise to have you home by dark.”


Each monthly show will open with a special surprise guest.


“RECOMMENDED….Beguiling and very funny.”---Stage Raw


“Wonderful…Each show will continue to have the audience reflecting on their own life, while rolling in laughter.”----Splash Magazines


“Coleman is always welcoming….We DO need a weatherman to know the way the wind blows.”---Showmag.com


Join Fritz and have the time of your life at Unassisted Residency.

WHAT: Unassisted Residency. The hit comedy show created and performed by Fritz Coleman.
Also, a special guest each month.


WHERE: El Portal Theatre, in the intimate Monroe Forum, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601.


WHEN: Sundays at 3 p.m. on September 27, October 25, and November 29, 2026.


ADMISSION: $40. Cocktail seating $50 (must purchase two tickets for cocktail seating).


ONLINE TICKETING: https://elportaltheatre.com/fritzcoleman.html

Building Dreams: 8th Annual Bunks Across America Comes to Los Angeles

Nearly 2 million children across the U.S. don’t have a bed to sleep in at night, Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Lowe’s are aiming to change that with their annual Bunks Across America event.

LA will join a nationwide goal to build 12,000 beds in a single day for children who don’t have a bed of their own.


More on the event: 

Date: September 12th ; 9AM - 1PM 

Location: 1027 Academy Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

Details: Volunteers can sign up by visiting SHPBeds.org.


Last year alone, almost 13,000 volunteers across the country built over 10,000 beds in a single day to change the quality of life for thousands of children who otherwise may be sleeping on couches or floors.


Alexa Minetto (Wallen) | SAS, Earned Media | she/her/hers | +1-858-231-1402

 

Coming up September 9th at 9:30am - Lady Freethinker Founder and President Nina Jackel and Director Kirk Murray talk about LADY FREETHINKER’S EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENTARY “CRUELTY FOR CLICKS” TO WORLD PREMIERE AT INDIEWOOD FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 12th.

 

LADY FREETHINKER’S EXPLOSIVE DOCUMENTARY “CRUELTY FOR CLICKS” TO WORLD PREMIERE AT INDIEWOOD FILM FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 12th

 LISTEN to today's show on KUCI 88.9fm 

 

LOS ANGELES — CRUELTY FOR CLICKS, an explosive new documentary from animal protection nonprofit Lady Freethinker (LFT), will make its world premiere at the Indiewood Film Festival on September 12th. The provocative film exposes a disturbing global phenomenon: animal cruelty created, staged and shared for clicks across some of the world’s largest social media platforms.

Produced by Lady Freethinker Founder and President Nina Jackel and directed by Kirk Murray, CRUELTY FOR CLICKS brings together true-crime investigation and animal advocacy to uncover the disturbing industry behind viral animal content. From staged puppy “rescues” to sadistic abuse of baby monkeys, the film reveals how cruelty can be disguised as entertainment — and how social media has enabled abusive content to reach audiences around the world.

 

“This documentary was born from a deep urgency to expose the dark reality behind viral animal videos and to confront the systems that allow exploitation — and even torture — to run rampant on social media,” said Jackel. “In more than a decade of investigating animal abuse, I can say beyond a shadow of doubt that this is the worst cruelty I’ve ever witnessed.”

Lady Freethinker is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending animal cruelty worldwide through investigations, news reporting and citizen action, while also providing food, veterinary care and shelter to rescued animals in dire need. Known for its fearless advocacy, LFT works to create a more compassionate world for all sentient beings. 

In a significant recent development, Jackel and Lady Freethinker have also worked with Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to address abusive animal content appearing on its platforms and strengthen efforts to prevent such material from being permitted or circulated.

“As someone who believes deeply in compassion and coexistence, this film became one of the most important projects I’ve ever undertaken,” said director Kirk Murray. “If this documentary encourages even a few people to think differently, ask difficult questions, or act with greater compassion, then it has achieved exactly what I set out to do.”

Directed by Murray and co-written by Murray and Russell Lichter, CRUELTY FOR CLICKS is produced by Jackel and Murray. Cinematographers include Matt Fore, Ian Albert, Ryan Gibson, Ed Koziarski, Zach Levenson and Gene Sung.

 

The documentary also features compelling interviews with scientists, experts and animal advocates, including Emma Alleyne, Melissa Amarello, Madeline Bernstein, Nedim C. Buyukmihci and Edward Casmere, who provide insight into the psychology, proliferation and real-world consequences of online animal cruelty.

Murray is a filmmaker driven by the belief that emotion can be a catalyst for change. His work has been recognized at more than 40 film festivals worldwide, including the Orlando Film Festival, Las Vegas Film Festival, Utah Film Festival, San Diego International Film Awards and Atlanta ShortsFest. A visually driven director, Murray approaches each project with cinematic precision, creating films designed to be both immersive and emotionally resonant.

 The Trailer - CRUELTY FOR CLICKS

ABOUT LADY FREETHINKER

Lady Freethinker is a nonprofit organization working to expose and stop animal cruelty around the world. Through undercover investigations, news reporting, petitions and other citizen actions, LFT campaigns against animal abuse while supporting the rescue and care of animals in urgent need.

Coming up September 9th at 9:00am - Dr. Michael Hicks, Assistant Professor of Physiology & Biophysics at UCI School of Medicine and Associate Director of the UCI Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center, talks his role as researcher and curator of “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” event with CureDuchenne

Dr. Hicks is an Assistant Professor of Physiology & Biophysics at UCI School of Medicine and Associate Director of the UCI Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center. His research focuses on muscle stem cells, regeneration, human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and developing potential cell therapies for muscle-wasting diseases.

There is also a particularly interesting personal/professional connection to Duchenne: before coming to UCI, Hicks was a CureDuchenne postdoctoral fellow at UCLA, where his work involved muscular dystrophy, gene editing and pluripotent stem cells.

And he's one of the people behind the September 18 “Remarkable Life of Ibelin” event with CureDuchenne—the 2026 UCI grant listing identifies Hicks and CureDuchenne CEO Debra Miller as the project team for the film night.

LISTEN to today's show

EVENT DETAILS

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin with the UCI Muscle Center and CureDuchenne @ Rivian South Coast Theater


Friday September 18, 2026
6:30pm - 9:00pm - PDT

About the Hosts
Learn more about the organizations behind this evening:
CureDuchenne | UCI Muscle Center

Rivian Laguna

162 South Coast Highway,


Laguna Beach, CA 92651

MEDIA ADVISORY UC Irvine and CureDuchenne to host free screening of ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE https://news.uci.edu/2026/08/17/uc-irvine-and-cureduchenne-to-host-free-screening-of-the-remarkable-life-of-ibelin/   Contact:      Carly Murphy                      949-501-1008                      murphyco@uci.edu   Aug. 17, 2026   MEDIA ADVISORY   UC Irvine and CureDuchenne to host free screening of ‘The Remarkable Life of Ibelin’   EVENT: The UC Irvine Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center and CureDuchenne will host a free community screening of the award-winning documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” during Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. The event will bring together scientists, clinicians, patients, families and community members to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and highlight advances in muscle disease research, clinical trials and care.   The documentary tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy whose family discovered after his death at age 25 that he had built a vibrant community and deep friendships through the online game “World of Warcraft.” It explores disability, connection and the impact of online communities.   WHEN/WHERE: Friday, Sept. 18, at the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and the film begins at 7 p.m.   INFORMATION: The event is free and open to the public, including UC Irvine affiliates. Register at events.rivian.com/theremarkablelifeofibelin.   HIGHLIGHTS: 6:15 p.m. Doors open. Attendees can meet UC Irvine muscle scientists and physicians and visit educational exhibits, research demonstrations and resource tables hosted by UC Irvine and CureDuchenne. Select items will be available for purchase throughout the evening, with proceeds benefiting the event. Researchers and clinicians will share information about current clinical trials and advances in muscle biology and neuromuscular disease.   7 p.m. Screening of “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” After the film: Panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring researchers, clinicians and patient advocates   BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive neuromuscular disease. The Sept. 18 event is intended to connect the experiences of patients and families with the scientists, clinicians and advocates working to advance research, treatments and care for Duchenne and other muscle diseases.   “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin” premiered in 2024 at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won two awards in the World Cinema Documentary Competition – the Audience Award and the Directing Award. It also won a Peabody Award.   Muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting diseases represent a significant clinical research portfolio within the UCI School of Medicine. The UC Irvine Medical Center currently has eight active clinical trials for muscular dystrophies, including gene therapy studies and those evaluating the safety and efficacy of emerging treatments.   Established in 2023, the UC Irvine Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center promotes research, clinical translation and education in skeletal muscle biology. Directed by Armando Villalta, Ph.D., the interdisciplinary center brings together about 80 scientists, clinicians and trainees from across UC Irvine to accelerate discoveries in muscle regeneration and neuromuscular disease. It’s expanding education and workforce development through graduate courses, collaborative research initiatives and a National Institutes of Health-supported T32 training program for future muscle biologists and physician-scientists.   CureDuchenne, headquartered in Newport Beach, is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving and extending the lives of people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For more than two decades, the organization has invested in early-stage research to help advance potential therapies into human clinical trials while expanding access to expert care, education and resources for families.   The event is supported by a UC Irvine Campus-Community Collaboration Incubator award.   ### For UC Irvine breaking news, visit news.uci.edu.

OLIVIA RODRIGO CLOSES OUT INAUGURAL DAISY CHAIN FIELDS; JOINED ON STAGE BY MELINDA FRENCH GATES TO ANNOUNCE $20 MILLION BEING DONATED TO 10 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

 

OLIVIA RODRIGO CLOSES OUT INAUGURAL DAISY CHAIN FIELDS; JOINED ON STAGE BY MELINDA FRENCH GATES TO ANNOUNCE $20 MILLION BEING DONATED TO 10 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS   THE FIRST YEAR FESTIVAL FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY CHAPPELL ROAN, DOECHII, SARAH MCLACHLAN, STEVIE NICKS AND MORE ALONG WITH SURPRISE GUEST ALANIS MORISSETTE Photo Credit: Emma Wannie   IRVINE, CA — August 30, 2026 — Yesterday, GRAMMY Award-winning, multi-platinum artist Olivia Rodrigo closed out her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival with a special on stage announcement alongside philanthropist Melinda French Gates who pledged to double the $10 million being donated, bringing the total to $20 million thus far. Daisy Chain Fields was created to bring together women in music to inspire new ideas, deepen understanding, and drive action. Net proceeds from the festival will be donated to 10 non-profit organizations advancing and advocating for women and girls both in the U.S. and globally. The single-day event featured a women-led lineup of groundbreaking artists and a community rooted in creativity, connection, and collective impact.   The festival's lineup featured Bikini Kill, Chappell Roan, Devon Again, Die Spitz, Doechii, Eli, Garbage, Mitski, Not For Radio, Olivia Rodrigo, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, Santigold, and The Breeders, along with special guests Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Nicks, and surprise guest Alanis Morissette.   Festival attendees had the opportunity to learn about and support organizations working across reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention, and gender equity at Daisy Chain Reaction philanthropy village. The 10 non-profit organizations benefitting from the Daisy Chain Fields Fund include:   Baby2Baby has provided over half a billion essential items including diapers, formula, clothing and food to children in need across the country. Black Mamas Matter Alliance works to ensure Black mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. Center for Reproductive Rights takes the fight for reproductive rights to court, using the power of law and advocacy to defend access to care in the U.S. and around the world. FreeFrom is the largest provider of direct cash assistance to survivors of gender-based violence and a leading advocate for survivor economic security. Jhpiego partners with communities around the world to make quality health care more accessible to women, girls, and their families. Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health partners with Indigenous communities across the U.S. to advance health and well-being through Indigenous-led research, community-based programs, and public health leadership. National Domestic Workers Alliance organizes domestic workers across the U.S. to ensure the people who care for our children, elders, and homes have the rights, protections, and dignity they deserve. National Institute for Reproductive Health fights for reproductive freedom nationally by working alongside state and local partners to expand abortion access, protect reproductive health data, and ensure Black and Indigenous pregnant people can have a safe, joyful birthing experience. National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice nationwide in the court system, in public policy, and in the culture at large is the largest provider of direct cash assistance to survivors of gender-based violence and a leading advocate for survivor economic security. Planned Parenthood organizations have more than 550 health centers in communities nationwide and provide millions of people with access to sexual and reproductive health care, including birth control, cancer screenings, abortion, and more.   For additional information on the specific festival activations and art installations please see HERE.   Daisy Chain Fields Mission Statement: “Daisy Chain Fields is a music festival founded on the belief that joy, community, and creativity can inspire meaningful change. It affirms that music and collective experience can serve as enduring drivers of progress and social change. It's a place where inspiration and curiosity lead to knowledge, strength, and action.   The festival celebrates the voices, artistry, and contributions of women in music, fostering an inclusive environment in which all are welcome. Daisy Chain Fields offers more than live performances; it provides opportunities for education, dialogue, and engagement around issues affecting women and girls in the United States and globally. Through partnerships and on-site resources, the festival seeks to ensure that girls and young people have access to information and support they may not otherwise know how to find, and real-life interactions with women and girls who are bright lights in our world.   Net proceeds from the festival are directed toward nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls. Beyond its philanthropic impact, Daisy Chain Fields’ core purpose is to cultivate joy and shared understanding, creating space for meaningful moments of connection across generations and communities.   Daisies are wild and beautiful. As a chain, they are strong and unbreakable.”   -Olivia Rodrigo   Daisy Chain Fields Contact: Ambrosia.Healy@umusic.com Daisychain@ledecompany.com