NEWSLETTER: "brake"dancing

How do?

Sometimes, I feel like a fish out of water, flopping on a very unforgiving surface, seeking fluidity. Right about now, I'm guessing that we are each having that sensation, off and on, as this month seems to drag us to the Fall. I mean a literal physical fall. Old ideas, old systems, markets, relationships, industries, art practices, social networks... just one BOOM after the other. Flop flop flop. As Sponge Bob says, "Air is not good, Patrick! Air is not good!" But hold on, yes it is says our inner contact improviser. It's all about displacement, a shifting that reveals how the body is staying aloft. I can mix me some metaphors! Yes, there has been a man behind a curtain, actually several of them. And they all thought that they were the Wiz. We know we did not elect ourselves a Wiz and when we sit down and go to our quiet places to find balance, we ain't lookin for no Wiz neither. Rather than go all tense, flopping around between one fiscal revelation and the next, let's just get in our center and find how we have to position our feet to hold our ground and be in our truth: we would rather spend 700 billion dollars for food, art making/production/touring, housing, education, 2 years paid home leave for each new mom, senior services, longer library hours, health care, green retrofits, improving our food supply by removing pesticides and unwanted genetically altered crops, having international cultural exchanges, paying off every one's credit card debt and shutting down the evil ones, buying back foreclosed homes and giving them back to the owners, making sure every curb has wheel chair access, every intersection a crosswalk, and having a big party once a season just to say "we love us!" I think there would still be money left. Maybe we're not flopping after all. Maybe we are using our fins to scuttle over a ridge, to a fairer, clearer source of sustenance.


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.


As is customary in times like these, artists have jumped up and decided to take, make and break microphones, stages, platforms, and anthems. Lot's to see, do, experience, and co-create! BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO this week are festivals that shake your assumptions, gatherings that make you the artist, and rituals that focus intent.

OPENING TODAY
CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
Black Chrome
September 25th 6-9 pm Opening Reception
Black people and motorcycles get a night of contemplation this evening. Choppers, drag bikes and side burns with lollipop afros abound this evening as this strip of the black underground gets some play. Stop by and greet new curator, Michele Elizabeth Lee. She is fabulous and an artist in her own right.


FORD AMPHITHEATRE, map
This place is AWESOME. Three events to just make you say, "Hey, give these folks reign over the budget crisis! They can stretch a dollar!"
Pacha Massive & Federico Aubele
Friday, September 26, 8 PM, tickets $30/20 and $12 for kids
might be sold out since KCRW is co-sponsor. Follow the link to more info and links to their music.
Fiesta Mexicana VI
Saturday, September 27, 2008, 7 PM; tickets $48/40, no discounts for kids
I happen to be teaching a course on the skirt and can't seem to find any articles on these incredible costumes. Can anybody help? Meanwhile, we'll just have to go to this annual extravanganza.
JUiCE HIP HOP FESTIVAL
Saturday Oct 4, 2008, 8 PM; tickets $25/$5 for kids and students
Hip Hop collegiate competition dance hits the main stage. I'll have some new cash by then, so maybe I'll go. Lots of tricks, stunts and synchronism, so if you old skool, you won't be feelin this at all. However, if you get moved watching the culture undulate like a shimmering river serpent, bumpin up against banks that you thought it could not possibly reach, then you MUST check this show out. one night only featuring Antics Performance, The Get Down Dolls, Lux Aeterna, Outer Circle and guests. Buy now! it will be packed with their crews who can all get in for $5...


18th STREET ARTS COMPLEX
1639 18th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 | Phone 310.453.3711
ArtNight
Saturday September 27th, 6 - 9 PM; FREE
I will be here celebrating my birthday! September 30th, if you anna know. Yes, I should likely go to the Viva Mexico, but crazy artists are MY people! This evening is absolutely full of amazing and challenging work in various media, so check it out. Who knows where you can park though?

24th ANNUAL ABBOT KINNEY FESTIVAL
Abbot Kinney between Main and Venice
Sunday, September 28th, 10 AM - 6:30 PM; FREE, but food will cost a lot...
Yikes! Every year this is bigger. And I have to say, better. This year is no different with the festival going green, and they ain't just greenwashin either. There will be a bicycle valet station, instruction on how to make simple meaningful changes around your home to make your carbon footprint smaller, and a gourmet green chef station (although we could do without the "gourmet" part). 3 stages of music, one with Chris Pierce, lovely lovely music. Lots for the kids to do, and great crafts to take home. I live VERY close, so if you are coming, drop me a line. TAKE THE BUS, #33 or 333 up Venice. You will thank me later.


GRAND AVENUE FESTIVAL
Between Temple and Fifth Street
Sunday September 28th, 11 AM - 5 PM
If I did not live on the opposite side of the universe, I would be here. This festival takes up several square blocks in downtown LA, offering not just stages with music, but street performances, open galleries and music hall and several do-it-yourself art stations. To get into the Disney Hall and other venues (REDCAT, MOCHA, Colburn School, Music Center, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion) you will need a ticket, but they are free on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early! Of special interest @ 2 & 3:30 in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra will play. This is a HUGE festival; wear your walking shoes. And please, take the bus or subway to the event.


Please check out the picks for the Sacred Music Festival, String Theory and ANATTA. You can also go to their website to see what they are pushing.

And as if there is not enough happening on Sunday...
SANTA MONICA BEACH @ THE END OF OCEAN PARK BLVD
Honoring the Sea: Closing Ceremony for The Festival of Sacred Music
3 PM - Sundown (6:41PM), FREE
Three HUNDRED artists will descend upon the beach with their admirers and friends to say good bye to the wondrous Festival of Sacred Music, but they will do it by providing an awakening of the spirit. If you feel called to help heal the waters--in the ocean but also encased within your skin--please come down to the beach after a bit of festival frolicking. I will be there with Viver Brasil and Swing Brasil, lifting up the vibration of Yemanjá, the Candomblé goddess of motherhood, peace & the sea. If you love all things Brazilian, please wear white and come to our tent to chill with us. You will not be able to make the presentation, but we would love people holding the space. Bring white flowers to say thank you to Big Momma. Many other traditions will be there as well, including DAFRA and the Agape International Choir and the First Nation.


Looking for something mentioned last week? Check the archives.


HIGHWAYS
1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema
Friday October 3rd & Saturday October 4th 8 PM @ 8:30
This looks like a blow out of an evening! If you love dance films, screen dance, and projections WITH live performance, can't miss this. Since no place seems to be listing the names and Cari Ann Shim SHam sent them to me, here goes. I hope you get as excited as I was!
Maria Gillespie, Kristy Tully, Cari Ann Shim Sham, Kyle Ruddick, Christine Suarez, Mary Kite, Caren McCaleb, Mariel Louise Mc Ewan, Jia Jia Wu, Dani Beauchamp, David Rousseve, Roberta Shaw, Kim Olson, Michelle Ellsworth, Hamel Bloom, Nicole Seiler, Gideon Obarzanek, Edwina Throsby, Jessica Damon, Carrie Noel, Rachael Lincoln, Robert Prowse, Andrea Pass, Ana Baer

DIAVOLO DANCE SPACE
616 Moulton Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Peep Hole|People by LACDC
Friday October 17th-18th, 8 PM, 19th @ 5 PM; 24th, 25th @ 8 PM, 26th @ 5 pm
An evening of repertory work and new choreographies. I'll have more as we get closer.

THE RED MERMADE
2814 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Asphalt Sea
Saturday, October 18th 8 PM to midnight-ish
VISCERA presents a night of performance lurking, motel crashing and urban partying. Our invited guests are preparing site specific pieces for dry docked boat, parking lot, alley and stairwell. You won't want to miss our Granny Off. Save the date and some money to put in our hat. More details to follow...


WONG FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST continues and is a HIT! Don't miss it. Get tickets here.


ONGOING CLASSES AND SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
Well, I need to put Diavolo on the class map for AFROLOGICS. But don't miss out on Meg Wolfe's map of ALL studio spaces in the city. She put that together herself and now finally has some interns rockin the casbah with her.

RIGHT NOW: LA Contemporary Dance Company has a master class at Diavalo until 9 PM featuring Paulo Alcedo, a former student of the inimitable Rosangela Silvestre.

Also, Hannah Vander Kolk offers Hippy Hip Hop for everyone right now at the Open Space, 7 - 9 PM

On Sunday Sept. 28th from Noon - 2 PM, LADC hosts Mecca Vazie Andrews as guest instructor at Diavolo

Then just limp on over to the Open Space for Liquid Pop Open Dance Jam led by Alexandra Yalje. This edition is offered by Bulletyme while Ms. Yalje performs in NYC! 2:30 - 4 PM, $11 You will get your sweat on

Kinky Stretch with Gregory Barnett, described as "an all-level performance/movement class based in conviction and universal acceptance (rather than traditional techniques or years of practice). It should be fun, if you're willing to commit yourself to the understanding that when it comes down to it we're all gods and idiots simultaneously." begins 7:30 - 9 PM, THURSDAYS, The Open Space beginning OCT 9th. $10

DADA's African Dance Conference is nearly upon us. Get your tickets on-line. October 1st - 5th, it jumps off!

There's a big Haitian event with workshop coming to Occidental College in November, courtesy of Elizabeth Chin! Save the first week of November for some hot, contemporary Haitian dance. Concert on the 7th. more details to come.


LOVELY!
Well, it's earlier than last week. Improvement! Other than boosting local artists (and myself occasionally) I have not run any ads in this newsletter. I did want to mention not a product, or event, or restaurant, but, a process. Not one of those cult-inducing ones either, so don't worry. So you've tried, tried, and tried again, and things are not moving/changing/clarifying the way you want: stop and check in with your mini-false-mantras. You know, "i'm so broke," or "i can't stand that, " or "i just don't have time," or "i'm just not ever gonna get any better than this, " or... Yes, right now, we are kinda in a group false mantra that seems to switch up on us everyday, "Obama can never win because he's black, " or "i don't understand what's going on on Wall Street, " or "Sara Pallin is ___" Where attention goes energy flows and if you'd like to develop skills to harness your inner power and drive your attention towards the world you want, check out Huna with Kala. I have to say, I'm not a fan of how the website looks, and sometimes, her voice can get to me, but the work is really great and she is living it with great love. I've done it, and I was VERY pleased with the results. Here is a link to tonight's free session, so you can learn one of the skill sets! And no, it's not about materialism. It's about being the change in a focused and loving way. And that's something we all need of each other right now.

Don't forget: make a monthly donation to your favorite arts organization and/or public school. Every little bit helps.

in love,
-Anna