ERIKA VARELA & MISHY TURNER
Staff Writers
A short distance from the fast-paced world of Los Angeles, Topanga Canyon is anything but fast. For proof, simply look to the many bumper stickers on cars that read, “Admire Topanga, slowly.”
Topanga Canyon is reminiscent of the good ol’ days of “The Waltons,” the classic 1970s television show about a country family with relatives that would yell their goodnights to one other. This is not surprising as the actor who played the grandpa on the show, Will Geer, was famous in the community.
In the 1950s, Geer opened an outdoor theater, the Theatricum Botanicum, as a result of being one of the many blacklisted actors during the McCarthy era. Set just off the winding roads of the canyon, Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum is like something out of a fairytale, or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The atmosphere of the theatre is very natural. Senior John Rhea said it is “more authentic and more organic” than most theaters he has ever seen.
The Greek-style theater is scenically set on one of Topanga Canyon’s thriving hillsides. While the play is predominantly performed on the stage, much of the action takes place in the surrounding wilderness. Characters tend to pop up from behind rocks or make their entrances swinging from trees.
Will Geer died 29 years ago. His wife and children still run the theater. They direct, produce and act in almost all of the shows.
When going to the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, be sure to wear your finest Shakespearean duds and bring a cushion, as the concrete seats are not too comfortable.
Just because there’s history to Topanga Canyon does not mean it lacks in conjuring more modern-day thoughts. When talking pirates, for example, I’m sure your brain is flooded with images of the sultry Johnny Depp from “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the 80s cult classic “The Goonies,” or even that kid next to you who steals music.
Nevertheless, Hidden Treasures, Topanga Canyon’s jewel of a vintage store, has made pirating boats full of treasure a thing of ye olde past. It has instead made quite an enticing vintage clothing goldmine for any fashion buccaneer.
The store literally oozes maritime. Jewels and mermaids embellish the rickety wood, pirates hang from ropes, a huge sailor wheel tops the deck and a giant dinosaur overlooks the roof (the dinosaur is not nautical — but it is cool to look at.)
The clothing inside is also a treasure in every sense of the word. A surplus of fur shrugs, lacey antique dresses and plush velvet items daintily line the walls and racks of the main room.
Just a doorway over, you’ll find the antique accessories room, complete with hats, purses and shoes of all sizes and time periods.
The treasure hunt continues with the back room that supplies racks of sweaters, skirts and shirts. Hidden Treasures also has an array of unique costumes and wigs, perfect for Halloween.
To top off Hidden Treasures’ nautical theme, there is even a treasure trunk by the front entrance which is packed full of clothes and goodies that can all be purchased for $1.50.
Hidden treasures has made pirate shopping quite tantalizing and easy, with no maps or toothless shipmates necessary. So sail on down the roads of Topanga Canyon, and explore Hidden Treasures.
Speaking of green, move to your next stop, Froggy’s. At a frog-themed restaurant, you might expect frog to be on the menu, but it’s not. At Froggy’s, the only aquatic animals on the menu are those in the fish and shellfish families.
With a neon, jumping frog sign, Froggy’s isn’t hard to miss during the nighttime. On warm nights, the terrace is a perfect place to lounge and dine on quesadillas, fish tacos and the best French fries around. During the few months of colder weather, the inside is dimly lit and has a romantic fireplace, complete with couches for cuddling.
“It would be a good date restaurant, the atmosphere is casual, the food is good [and] it’s very mellow,” said freshman Zineb Zebdi, who ate at Froggy’s a few weeks ago.
There is no tux-wearing matire d’ at Froggy’s, so you don’t have to worry about facing a stuffy atmosphere that might make you croak. At Froggy’s, you walk in and simply order your food from the cashier. No formal wear required.
So, whether you’re looking for a night on the town or a weekend escape, head to Topanga Canyon to explore an old-fashioned lifestyle that has never quite gone out of style.
10-04-2007
