News Summary
Los Angeles is honoring the centennial of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club (LABC), founded in 1923. Initially a men-only networking event, it has evolved into an inclusive social club with quirky traditions and guest lectures. Weekly meetings at the Friendship Auditorium create a vibrant community atmosphere, sharing meals and exploring diverse topics. Despite past membership challenges, the club has seen a resurgence, attracting many participants. As it enters its next century, the LABC continues to cherish its rich history while embracing future opportunities.
Los Angeles is celebrating the centennial of the Los Angeles Breakfast Club (LABC), a unique institution founded in 1923 that has woven friendship, tradition, and quirky rituals into the fabric of the city for 100 years. Initially formed by horsemen, including banker Marco Hellman and merchant Maurice De Mond, the LABC came to fruition after their horseback rides near Griffith Park. What began as a networking event for wealthy businessmen has grown into an inclusive social and educational club known for its humor and extraordinary customs.
The LABC holds weekly meetings every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at the Friendship Auditorium in Los Feliz, where members enjoy a hearty breakfast that features ham, eggs, and vegetarian choices. These gatherings also include guest lectures on a variety of topics, with a notable past speaker being actor Peter Weller, recognized for his role in “Robocop.” The club initially maintained a male-only membership policy but transitioned to a co-ed format in 1981. The first honorary female member was opera singer Amelita Galli-Curci, inducted in 1926 when the Breakfast Club also had two women-only sister clubs.
At its core, the LABC has remained nonpartisan and focused on fostering enjoyment rather than business connections. Historical members have included some of America’s most famous figures, including Ronald Reagan, Walt Disney, Babe Ruth, and Joe DiMaggio. The club is known for its entertaining traditions, such as “flipping the egg,” a unique handshake involving wrist-rotation, and the eccentric initiation ritual where new members sit on “Ham the Sawhorse.”
Throughout its existence, the club has faced challenges, including a drastic decrease in membership to as low as 31 at one point. However, through dedicated engagement with social media and community outreach, the club’s membership has rebounded, growing to approximately 180 active members. Weekly meetings attract attendance ranging from 100 to over 200 participants, showcasing a renewed interest in this storied organization.
The LABC prides itself on creating an environment where individuals of all ages feel appreciated and connected, with friendship and camaraderie being essential motivators for attendance. Currently, the club is negotiating for a sustainable agreement with the city regarding its venue, as a previously favorable low-rent deal ended in 2015.
The meetings are characterized by their quirky atmosphere featuring light stretching exercises, communal singing, and engaging presentations that explore diverse topics from art history to local wildlife. This blend of old traditions and modern social engagement has kept the club relevant and appealing to both new and long-standing members.
For those interested in learning more about the LABC or wishing to become a member, details can be found on the official LABC website. As the club enters its next century, it continues to look towards the future while cherishing the rich tapestry of its past.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Los Angeles Breakfast Club
- Wikipedia: Breakfast Club (film)
- Crescenta Valley Weekly: A Rich and Century-Old History
- Google Search: Los Angeles Breakfast Club
- Los Angeles Times: Breakfast Club
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles
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