NEWSLETTER: right on time

How DO?

The last weekend of summer is here, and even the weather is lamenting the fact! But there is much to make this last week a memorable one. Although most of the speeches have been redundant and a bit mind numbing, the Democratic National Convention is currently THE show to watch, no matter where you are on the planet. How wild is that? Obama takes the stage this evening amidst growing and ever expanding totalitarian turns in policy by the Bush administration and those Republicans still marching arm in arm with the nihilistic activities. So I would like you to beware spreading yourself so thin in "fight back" pose, that you drain your wallet and enthusiasm for the presidential campaign. Too numerous to tick off here, I just want to alert you to a few areas in which the Bush administration is seeking to drain dollars away from the drive to get "change" in the White house: you have until TOMORROW to tell the Bureau of Land Management that you don't want an open gold mine in the California desert. Yup, I did not make that up. From demanding that aerial wolf hunting in Alaska continue, to making weird new rules about family planning, a lot of energy is going into redirecting YOUR energy. Choose wisely, get active locally, and find your center: all great dancing emanates from core strength.


Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, get your community on. New reviews are up! Go check 'em out and get into the conversation.


BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO is my daughter's third birthday (!), the final weekend of a venerable community festival, opportunities to strut your stuff and the arrival of September. Where did August go?


GRAND PERFORMANCES
California Plaza, 300-350 Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Get yourself there either Friday at noon to a rare treat. The Garrifuna Women's Project is in town and you can experience them for free. The Garrifuna are an African community in Belize who escaped from their captors when the ship bearing them into slavery wrecked. Still going strong. Check it.

AFRICAN MARKET PLACE
Rancho Cienega Park, 5001 Rodeo RD, LA 9016
Tickets on-line or at the gate $8 for adults; $5 children
I actually slept on this. I have not been in years and getting info on the line up and times is very very difficult. I happen to know that Maia will play on Saturday around 5 PM with the world renowned Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. Check out this clip of her being interviewed on Spaceways Radio on KPFK. On Sunday, Brazil is to take over in a meaningful way, but I can't tell you how exactly. Wish I had more details, because there are some amazing artists and dance troupes that come through. It is mostly a market, so if you're not into shopping, might not be your cup of tea. But if you like traveling without having to go very far, this is a great way to get out of town.


THE HOTEL CAFE
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood, Ca 90028
TONGUE & GROOVE
Sunday August 31st - 6:00 to 7:30pm; $6
A monthly offering of short fiction, personal essays,poetry, spoken word + music produced by Conrad Romo. This month featuring the following: Chiwan Choi, Chris Kerr, Doug Cordell, Pat Payne, Derrick Brown 'Born in the Year of the Butterfly Knife', Nancy Pimental and musical guest Scott Huckabey.


Looking for something mentioned last week? Check the archives to the left.


HOLLYWOOD BOWL
September 3, 8 PM, tickets from $1 - $95
Bossa Nova at 50
With a fantastic line-up including new voices and old crooners, Bossa Nova at 50 is a sumptuous show not to be missed. Make sure you take a dancing partner with you or be open to dancing with your neighbor!


FORD AMPHITHEATER
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood CA 90068
August 30th, 10 AM, $5/kids free
DAFRA West African Drum and Dance Ensemble takes the stage. Bring the kids!

Then that night:
Mantra Theater presents Legend of the Chao Phraya: The Siamese River of Life, this promises to an exquisite show of dance, music martial arts and theater. Well worth the ticket. $30/students & children $5.

Friday September 5th, 8:30 PM; $25/students & children $5
Sans Detour
Catch Me Bird and Baker & Tarpanga Project team up for an evening at the Ford. B&T will present "Disorder inside Order," based on the true story of a journalist caught in a political firestorm. Catch me Bird unveils Silk, the latest installment of the reality performance series. Let's turn out and have a blast. Anyone want to picnic before hand?

SHAKTI'S ELEMENTS
717 Broadway Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
September 5
Presents Raga Lounge. This is a monthly gathering at my old studio, but this time around, they are looking for performers. So scroll down to get info on how to make their scene memorable.

THE OPEN SPACE
209 S. Garey ST., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Monday, September 8th, 8 PM
Meg Wolfe/Show Box presents ANATOMY RIOT #26!
A low-tech, do-it-yourself high octane night in an easy going space. Always a surprise!
On the bill: Melina Bielefelt, Won-sun Choi, Sarah Leddy, Hannah Schwadron, Anna B. Scott (me!), Rosie Trump and Meg Wolfe. Come on down!




ONGOING CLASSES
There is a new family-centered African diaspora dance class starting! Creative Seeds will host Tati on Tuesdays, likely at 4:30 - 5:15, beginning Sept. 15th, 10 weeks long. This is a course, not a drop in class. $150 - $300 one to 3 children.
The number of classes on the map have increased! So check it out.



GIGS TO GRAB
This item section I forgot to put into the actual newsletter. There are two opportunities to perform in the LA underground. Check 'em out.

THE OPEN SPACE
Spontaneous Combustion. Get in the studio for 24 hours with the other artists and see what performance you can make.
Participant's meals provided plus a share of the door.

All interested parties should submit an electronic resume, bio, and link to a work sample in the form of a photo, audio file, or video along with a list of instruments, items materials etc. they would be bringing into the space if applicable. We are currently accepting submissions to OpenspaceLA@gmail.com for the first group of combustibles...Th-Fri (Oct. 2nd-3rd) Deadline for submission Fri Sep.12th 2008. Participants not selected for this S.C. will be considered for future shows. Thank you for supporting TheOPENSpace

SHAKTI'S ELEMENTS
Tova is looking for artists to come and perform at an open mic style Raga Lounge, their monthly call to the dance floor. I don't know if there is pay, but check it out if you aren't headed to Sans Detour. Contact Tova directly, tova@shaktiselements.com.



UPCOMING
itch #8: Pronocracy is having its launch party in the lounge at the REDCAT, Tuesday, Sept 16th.
Michael Franti at the Hollywood Bowl, Sept 22nd. Tickets on sale now.



LOVELY
Well goodness. Go and listen to that speech already! I hope to see you soon!

in love,
-Anna