The most beautiful thing about Cyndi Finkle (and you have to say her full name) is the way she moves through the world. She is not a woman afraid to take up space. Rightfully enjoying all that is hers and inviting others into her world at play. How amazing is it that we can easily invite you on our adventure through these Proust inspired dinner party questions? Enjoy!
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in up in Burbank, California! My ancestors came here in 1848 and I am a 6th generation California girl.
I currently live in a loft in Hollywood.
Is there a moment you can pinpoint that inspired you about art/design/lifestyle in your youth?
When I was a sophomore in college, I studied abroad in London and traveled all over Europe. This set the trajectory for how I wanted to live my life, eat, travel, explore, expand, and surround myself with art, good food, and culture.
We know you love to travel, how do you choose your destinations?
I have an ongoing list of places I want to travel to. I spent a month in Greece when I was 19 years old and it has been calling me back so I expect to get back there soon. In the past few years I have been to Thailand, Bali, Norway, Mexico, and New Zealand. I am dying to get to Japan!
We introduce you as a Performance Artist, was this intentional or was it realized?
It was absolutely realized. I started doing this 365 headstand project during lockdown and was planning to create a coffee table book. It was my daughter who told me to up-level the project and told me what I was doing was performance art. She encouraged me to find better locations and create collaborations with other artists. Thinking of doing headstands as a performance artist gave me courage to embody my mission without the confines of worrying about being in anybody’s way .
What is the most interesting location / outfit / story? This can be answered in three parts!
On my 53rd birthday, I went to the Brooklyn Bridge (my favorite place in NY) at 5:30 in the morning and it was 53 degrees out. I stripped down to a gold bikini and gold heels to photograph a headstand at sunrise on the mostly empty bridge.
This gold bikini and gold heels have become a staple in my travels, headstands, and costumes!
Another epic accomplishment was doing a headstand on a surfboard in the ocean in Mexico and South Africa.
What perspectives were achieved from committing to this practice for 365 days? Can you take us through some motions/highlights?
Having an ongoing inspired project ignited creativity and resourcefulness in that I learned apps, set up a photo studio in my loft for 3 months, and was always on the lookout for a potential location!
About 6 months in, I hit a wall of creativity where I was afraid I had run out of ideas and wondered how I was going to accomplish another 6 months of art. So I started brainstorming and had this vision of an actual (cattle) brand.Ā
I sent a photo to a company and they created an actual headstand branding iron that I use on steaks, breads, leathers, and bamboo plates.
After that, the ideas started flowing again and I was taught that sometimes it is good to step back and envision the bigger picture or to dive in to the meaning to find direction to keep going:
Your daughter is an artist how did you nourish her talent?
She starting drawing and painting when she was really little. She took art classes at a studio and when that studio came up for sale, I bought it and opened a second studio.
She took classes there, taught there, and ultimately became a mentor for a 12 year old girl in NY who was working on a portfolio.
She got her degree from NYU in Collaborative Arts and then began doing artist residencies around the world. She is currently creating a body of work and paints daily.
Check out her Instagram @sullycmultiverse
Where did you love for food come from?
When I lived in NY in my 20ās, a group of us did these Sunday night dinners. I loved feeding people, exploring recipes, and gathering. I continued the Sunday night dinners in Los Angeles hosting dinners for 50 people every six weeks. People who came to those dinners, told me I could do it professionally. I started my catering and craft services company in 1997 and built it for 17 years. I opened my cafe in 2012 and sold Sunday night dinner in 2014. I love hosting brunches and dinners regularly.
Can you tell us about your magic pot?
My magic pot is a cast iron Dutch oven that belonged to my great grandmother. Everything I make in it turns out perfect-pot roast, chicken, vegetables.
If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
What is your idea of happiness?
A peaceful life with good food, books to read, amazing people in my orbit, and freedom to travel and explore.
Have you watched or read anything interesting lately?
I loved the book by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol on the making of their new album The Forest Is The Path. He talks about losing his father and how grief ultimately gave him back his inspiration for song writing and performing. He seems to have forged a healing path through his music.
Do you have an opinion trio of gals traveling together on The White Lotus (if you saw it!).
I loved them. I know them. I truly appreciated how in the end, theirs was the happy ending instead of magnifying their differences, their history, love, and individuality is what makes their friendship special and long lasting.
Whatās next on the horizon?
Outside the window of my loft is a big construction pit where they plan to build an 3 story office building. Over the past 5 years, they have torn down buildings, dug a put, constructed a parking structure ( which blocked my view of the Hollywood sign) and now abandoned the project. A few months ago, I planted wildflowers and sunflower seeds in the piles of dirt, cement, and rubble. They are blooming and growing and I canāt wait to do a headstand out there with sunflowers, graffiti, dirt, and gumption.
Thank you for opening your doors to lark! We are honored to collaborate with you and share your story! We canāt wait to see what conversations unfold at the communal table.
Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.
Come on a lark with us!
Sunday, April 27, 2025, 5:30pm-8:30pm
$189. per person, all-inclusive good vibes
+ four course meal & wine pairing
Purchase Tickets: Letās Go On A Lark!
(non-refundable/absolutely transferrable)
ā ā ā Menu By Chef Matthew Roberts of True North Social Club ā ā ā
Welcome Drinks by Eric Kassel & Chefās Whim Snacks
Beet Cured Mt. Lassen Trout
beet gazpacho | rhubarb | creme fraiche
+ paired w/2023 Craft Works Pinot Grigio
A Salad of Favas & Peas
tendrils & leaves | fresh ricotta | preserved meyer lemon | cacao dukkah
+ paired w/2023 Rider Estates Sauvignon Blanc
Wild Mushroom Polenta
piƱon salsa macha | stepladder creamery aged cabrillo
+ paired w/2018 Yount Mill House Pinot Noir
Strawberry & Guajillo Empanada
cajeta | smoked sea salt
+ paired w/2025 Wilsons Organic Cold Brew Coffee
ā ā ā
Open invite. Limited seats.
