‘Brighter Tomorrows,’ Our 2026 Authors Event with Boutique Shopping – PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!
Yes, we are having another Authors Event as our Fall Fundraiser! This one will feature authors who specialize in Los Angeles and mid century modern. It was a fascinating time in Los Angeles history and we feel it ties in well with our upcoming 60th birthday. That’s right, Las Candalistas has been serving the South Bay community since 1967!
When: Thursday, October, 22nd, 2026
Time: 10:00-3:00 **Vendors open at 9:00, come early and avoid the rush!
Where: NEW LOCATION: DoubleTree Hotel 2800 Via Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro.
The lovely DoubleTree in San Pedro is located in the Cabrillo Marina, near the Cabrillo Aquarium and 22nd St. Our event will be in the Madeo building which is separate from the main hotel. This charming 2-story building has an elevator, beautifully designed ballrooms, an amazing view of the marina from the second floor, and right next door is the LA Yacht Club.
Parking is free and plentiful! The Madeo building is a short, flat, and easy walk from the main lot. Accessible parking is located directly next to the Madeo building.
Tickets: $150
Ticket Sales CLOSE October 16, 2026
FEATURING
Chris Nichols is a longtime preservationist and senior editor at Los Angeles magazine.
For many years he worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, serving a term as chairman of the group. In addition to creating tours, exhibitions, and lectures about historic Los Angeles, Nichols has advocated for endangered buildings all over Southern California including the Cinerama Dome and the world’s oldest McDonald’s in Downey.
His books include Walt Disney’s Disneyland for Taschen and The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister. He writes the Ask Chris column in Los Angeles magazine and has served on the board of Hollywood Heritage.
Charles Phoenix is an American pop culture humorist, historian, author and chef whose work explores 1950s and 1960s kitsch and Americana.
He is also a featured speaker at this year’s Modernism Week in Palm Springs. His topic is LOS ANGELESLAND!
The New York Times says: “Call him the King of Retro.”
Phoenix is widely known for his “Retro slide shows” featuring a collection of vintage film slides capturing mid-century American life and culture—set to Phoenix’s commentary. He is also known for his “test kitchen” creations of exaggerated novelty foods and desserts, including the Cherpumple, a three-layer cake/pie hybrid. Phoenix has appeared as a recurring judge on the Food Network series Cake Wars, Jay Leno’s Garage, Martha Stewart, Conan, Storage Wars, and Nailed it. He has also served as a frequent guest commentator on NPR and KCET.
AND MORE!
Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne! Plus a full cash bar is available.
Includes a delicious buffet lunch of lemon herb grilled chicken, grilled salmon fillet, green salad, vegetable kebab skewers, cranberry jasmine rice, and cucumber spears. In keeping with our mid-modernism theme, we are offering classic desserts from the 1950’s: pineapple upside down cake and assorted jellos.
Featuring the popular LC Marketplace: Sweet Shoppe; Jams & Jellies (including the popular Cranberry Jalapeno Jelly); LC Creations; Found Treasures; and more!
Check out some of our member handcrafted items:
NEW THIS EVENT!!Ready to find your next special Handbag? Join our Silent Auction! Fabulous handbags. Fun bidding. A great cause. Gently used and NEW! Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, Coach, Patricia Nash, and MORE! Here’s a sneak peak of a select few…..
Patricia Nash Trope Dome Perforated Leather Handbag. This specific style and color (Blue Grass) are no longer in active production!
Kate Spade handbag. This silver/chrome version of this bag is recognized as the same style as used in the early seasons of Gossip Girl.
Kate Spade Tote: featuring an elegant all-over Spade Flower quilted design, striking gold-tone chain detailing and a secure zip-top closure, this stylish and versatile tote is perfect for everyday use or a special occasion.
Plus specialty boutique Vendors. Some you’ll recognize, some will be new! Including: AR Workshop; Art Couture (Clothing); Beach House Stones (Jewelry); Classy Bag Lady; Colleen Berg Jewelry; Citrine Jewelry; Cynde’s Jewels; Dale Michele (clothing); Gifts 2 Have; Mrs. Hovie’s Toffee; Karim Collections (clothing & jewelry); Planet Chic Fashion; Rock Goddess Jewelry; RePURRposed (Gifts/Home); Social Butterfly Designs (Cards); The Sheet Guy; San Pedro Soap Works
Looking for an interesting getaway? Or gift? We’re offering these unique and exciting Buy-it-Now exeriences at our event:
LAS VEGAS Getaway and THE SPHERE: Next-Generation Entertainment in Las Vegas for Three Days & Two Nights at Your Choice of Either Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, the Venetian or the Palazzo for Two, Including a $500 Gift Card Toward Tickets for a Show at the Sphere (Land Only).
Soak up the atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind city, then prepare yourself for a fully-immersive cinematic show, concert or event at the Sphere!
The Sphere boasts incredible shows and extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to the next level! Thanks to centuries old mathematical formulas and some very 22nd century cutting-edge technology and engineering, you’ll be treated to unparalleled entertainment at this revolutionary venue. The Exosphere features 580,000 square feet of LEDs making it a creative canvas so bold and bright you can see it from space, and the 168,000 speakers inside ensure all 17,385 seats experience the highest quality of realistic, 360-degree sound! (Land Only) Travel is valid for 18 months from date of issue.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY IN NEW YORK: Rockettes Holiday Spectacular: This Christmas Spectacular is a beloved holiday tradition captivating audiences for generations! Imagine you and your friend, spouse, daughter, mother- Fifth Avenue Windows glittering with lights, The Rockefeller Christmas Tree glowing over the crowds, Music, Snowflakes, and Holiday wonder filling the air. New York during the holidays feels like stepping into a story book and this experience puts you right in the heart of it! (Limited to certain dates in November and December 2026-2027, Land Only)
Includes: 2 mezzanine tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. 2 night stay at the Hilton Midtown New York (moments from Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and the Radio City Music Hall). Winspire booking and concierge service makes planning a breeze. (land only)
NAPA VALLEY TASTINGS ESCAPE: Private tastings, historic Schramsberg Caves, 3 night vineyard stay for 2 adults.
Imagine this…
You and someone special are tucked away in a charming vineyard farmhouse, waking up to warm pastries from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery. Your days unfold with intimate tastings at boutique wineries… sipping expressive small-batch cabernets… and stepping deep into Schramsberg’s historic caves, where sparkling wine has aged for Presidents and dignitaries for decades.
In the evenings, you gather by the fire pits under the Napa stars, surrounded by vineyards and that unmistakable wine country calm.
This is elegance. This is heritage. This is Napa Valley at its finest.
This experience for 2 includes: Handwritten Wines “Bread & Butter Wine Tasting Experience”, Schramsberg Winery Cave Tour and Sparkling Wine tasting. 3 night stay at “The Setting Inn”, Napa Valley. Thomas Keller Bouchon Bakery Pastries. Winspire booking & concierge service. (Land only, blackout dates may apply). Book within 1 year, travel within 2.
HANDS-ON PASTA & TIRAMISU CLASS FOR 6: *A Las Candalistas member favorite enjoyed and endorsed by us*
In home experience for 6 guests. Matteo & Alexandra Becucci of Tuscan Hills Kitchen will give guests all the Italian secrets necessary to make their pasta and tiramisu like nonna’s! After the class guests will share a communal experience to eat and enjoy the food they prepared. Guests recieve recipes so they can recreate the dishes.
A superfun and original dinner party for couples, family, or friends (grab friends and split the cost!). All food and most of the tools are supplied by the Chefs.
*Hosts can add on wine & guests. Mon-Fri only, but a Saturday upgrade is available. Local area. Buon appetito!
BACK STAGE NASHVILLE, THE ULTIMATE COUNTRY WESTERN EXPERIENCE: Premium lounge, backstage pass, tours…
This 3 night Experience for 2 Includes:
Admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame, including RCA Studio B and the iconic Hatch Show. Walk through the doors and feel the story of American Music unfold! Step inside RCA Studio B where Elvis and Dolly and countless icons stood at the mic recording songs that still echo across the world.
Reserved tickets to a live Grand Ole Opry show : From start to finish you’ll begin the night with exclusive access to the premium lounge. Take your seats as the lights dim and the first notes ring out across the most hallowed stage in country music. The sound is unmistakable. When the final encore fades, the magic continues. Step backstage on a private post-show tour, wandering through quiet corridors and standing in spaces where icons once prepared to perform.
3-night stay at the Hutton Hotel in the heart of Nashville-close to Nashville’s best music and dining.
Guided tour of the historic Ryman Auditorium-echoes of Johny Cash, Patsy Cline and countless icons still linger in the air.
Book within 1 year, travel within 2. Land Only, some blackout dates
ALL INCLUSIVE AFRICA PHOTO SAFARI: *A Las Candalistas Member and Guest Favorite Trip*
6 Day and 6 Night accommodations for 2 adults at the Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge in the heart of South Africa’s Zululand Conservation Region.
All-inclusive 3 meals a day. Two game viewing activities per day guided by professional game rangers inopen game viewing vehicles
Access to incredible facilities including: swimming pool, bars, gym, spa, gardens, resident wildlife, tennis, library, TV rooms, and restaurant.
Guests are guaranteed incredible wildlife viewings and fabulous photos and stories to bring back home!
Land Only, Valid for 2 years after purchase
