Around the World in 80 Minutes with Viva Los Feliz
What is Viva Los Feliz, and what is this new show?
Viva Los Feliz is a variety show series that has been running for a while now, held at Skylight Theatre on the first Thursday of every month. It is co-produced and hosted by Debra Matlock, President of the Los Feliz Improvement Association, and Phil Leirness, a filmmaker, storyteller and master of ceremony who also writes and hosts The Voice of Los Feliz, a newsletter and monthly podcast about the neighborhood.
"Around the World in 80 Minutes" is the new adaptation of that series. As Phil puts it, "By exploring and forming a relationship with the history of Los Angeles, the public art, the businesses, and the people that help make this community feel like home, you can connect to many different parts of the world without ever leaving the confines of Los Feliz."
How did it get started?
Viva Los Feliz began a few years ago as a neighborhood event put on by the Los Feliz Improvement Association. Debra asked Phil to host, and the two began talking about the concept that became this show. Phil says they always suspected that “if we did it right it was the sort of show that could be all new on a monthly basis.”
The first month was October, and shows for November and December are already booked. After that, the plan is probably two sets of four months in 2027.
If I had my wish everybody would bring a sense of wonder.
Who is behind it?
Debra and Phil produce the show themselves, with help from partner organizations including the Los Feliz Improvement Association. “This is largely a self financed effort,” Phil says.
Each month they invite a wide range of local performers. “Every show has a musical act. Every show has a poet laureate.” There are also improv performers, actors and presenters, plus a surprise mystery guest interviewed on stage, someone helping to shape the future of the community.
What will I experience when I show up?
Comedy, poetry, music, laughter and time with your fellow community members. Phil also hopes people find “joy in the face of sorrow,” along with a sense of how much is going on in the neighborhood each month. As for what to bring, he says, “if I had my wish everybody would bring a sense of wonder.”
He also hopes people stay afterwards to talk over what they saw, because “one of the real joys of seeing Live theater is being able to talk about it with people afterwards.” And you may meet a co-host: “I always love being on stage with my cat,” Phil says. His cat helps him warm up the audience.
Is each show different?
Some things stay the same: there will always be a documentary, a newsreel, a mystery guest, a musical act, comedy and poetry. But the performers change every month, the theme changes, and “the writing of the show will be all new from month-to-month.”
Phil's favorite part of making it is “creating an environment where really talented people feel free to do their best work.” He says the lineup of talent at the first show in October could not possibly have been better. His hope for the audience is simple: “I hope people come away having had a good time,” ideally having learned about several local events they want to join.
Why Los Feliz, and how can I help?
Phil has loved Los Feliz since he was a boy growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. During the pandemic he traveled to look at other places to live, then realized his list of must-haves described his own neighborhood. “This was always the place where I was meant to discover how to have fun being myself.” He wants neighbors to know “they are surrounded by friends,” adding that “every single day I make new friends in the neighborhood.”
The show can use help on show nights, from stage managing to welcoming guests to setting up and breaking down equipment. Performers and presenters who want to take part are encouraged to write in. To follow along, Phil publishes a Substack called The Voice of Los Feliz at philleirness.substack.com, with essays, podcasts and in-depth information about local events, and the show has its own Instagram account.
When and where is Viva Los Feliz - "Around the World in 80 Minutes"?
Thursday, November 5, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at Skylight Theatre Company, 1816 1/2 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027. $20. Every detail, a map and a button to add it to your calendar are on the Viva Los Feliz - "Around the World in 80 Minutes" event page. For the latest from the organizers, see their site.
More from Los Feliz Events
See what else is coming up on the Los Feliz events calendar. Hosting something in the neighborhood? Add your event, it is free, and you can ask to be interviewed for a post like this one.
Los Feliz Events comes to you from your neighbors at Rooster Homes, the Los Angeles real estate brokerage led by Brandon S. Arlington and Sarah Arlington.
Everything else coming up is on the Los Feliz events calendar.
